A holiday favourite for generations... George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is Georges modest building and loan company. But on Christmas Eve the businesss $8,000 is lost and Georges troubles begin.
Its practically an American tradition to watch this film with family at Christmas time each year. I just saw it for the first time myself a couple weeks before last Christmas, and I loved it. Its an uplifting, inspiring, dramatic, and at times laugh-out-loud funny story, with a cast that probably couldnt be improved upon if you tried. And, of course, its directed by the superb Frank Capra, whose work I greatly admire. James Stewart gives a raw, totally honest performance, as the unforgettable George Bailey, who on Christmas Eve is shown exactly why the world, or at least Bedford Falls, cant do without him. And, there is my favorite line in the whole movie, out of so many memorable quotes, delivered perfectly by Lionel Barrymore, as the evil Mr. Potter And a happy new year to you. In jail!
Oh my goodness, I am not going to spend much time describing this gold standard of Christmas movies. If you have seen it, you know what it is. If you haven’t seen it, stop reading this and watch it now. It is funny, tense, sentimental, romantic and downright Capra-esque. I have liked Jimmy Stewart in everything I have seen him in. Was he that good, or did the camera just plain love him, like I heard said once about Steve McQueen. But it doesn’t stop there. If you notice the ensemble cast, you see represented some of the finest character actors out there. Between them it’s seems like we have seen one of them in every great classic movie. I don’t watch this every year any more - there is just too much to see out there this time of year. But I watch it every two or three years and besides, if I have some time to spare, I can practically review every scene in order in my mind. It is part of my Christmas consciousness. Wait, are you still reading this?
Lovely film. emIt’s a Wonderful Life/em is enjoyable, hearty and well crafted. It takes longer than I wouldve predicted to get to the event, but its very much worth seeing the journey that comes before - as we see the arc of James Stewarts George. It all crescendos with an ending that you cant help but smile at. Stewart is excellent in the lead role, you really do see every single emotion that his character goes through. He is, by far, the standout performer, but there are of course good performances from the likes of Donna Reed (Mary), Lionel Barrymore (Henry) and Henry Travers (Clarence). I did notice a few weird cuts in there, not that I hold that against it or did it affect my enjoyment - its just noticeable. I see, via other reviewers, that theres a colour version - Channel 4 showed the black-and-white version over here in the UK. I cant say I felt the need for colour, which is always a good sign. Wholesome. Not that it, evidently given the average rating, needs to be said by someone like me, but Id certainly recommend this.
Every now and again you come across a film that just makes you think.... This is one of those. Recently upconverted to 4K and back on a big screen, its quite simply a joy to watch. Jimmy Stewart is George - a man who has spent his adult life tirelessly trying to help those less fortunate to make their own way in life - and his savings and loan enterprise is the lifeline for many of them. When that all goes pear-shaped though, he feels a degree of despair that leads him to wish he had never been born. Enter the wonderful Henry Travers as Clarence - the visiting angel who grants his wish and demonstrates just how life would have looked had he, indeed, never been around. Lionel Barrymore is superb as his domineering competitor Mr. Potter who wants his name on everything in Pottertown that he doesnt already own. Donna Reed also shines as his wife, especially towards the end of this Capra masterpiece that uses shadow and the wintry weather to elicit a lovely sense of Christmas, but also of our innate need for warmth and security. It is sentimental, but not in a cloying fashion and the star works his magic, with a wonderful accompaniment from Dimitri Tiomkin, for over two hours that simply flies by. Well worth the restoration - not just of the film, but of our own faith in the human spirit - and watch, too!
I am not one of those snobs that thinks Black and White is always better... but dont watch the colored version of it, there is something about it that just doesnt look right. Maybe its because the colors are off, maybe because Im not as used to it, but something doesnt sit right with it. Anyway, still the best Christmas movie ever made. Its still about redemption. Its still heartwarming and family friendly and... perfect... ... perfect save some of the hard cuts. I dont know why people dont mention those. They are pretty glaring, they are pretty horrible. But... its still just about the best Christmas movie ever made.
Its a timeless and great film for everyone, straightforwardly telling us that life is worth living and a good deed is never lost. Frank Capras films always remind me the world is not so bad. He shows us there is no need to beat or convince evil people to change. You will still have people helping you not from a sense of obligation but from a genuine willingness as long as you are kind and honest with them. In such a beautiful world, someone will impress you with their kindness and bring out yours, and vice versa. Thats enough, isnt it?
