Every Time a Bell Rings...

#20--It's Wonderful Life

Will we ever truly know how we touch other people? We all live our lives to our own expectations, but how does that affect the people around us? Each and every one of us has impacted someone's life. If it be a positive or a negative impact, it is an impact nonetheless. I really do not think that we as a society consider this, because if we did I wonder how much more positive we all would be. In 1946, one film tried to give perspective on this very topic and that film turned out to be one of the most beloved Christmas classics of all time. Number 20 on the AFI Top 100 list is also AFI's number 1 inspirational film, It's a Wonderful Life.

I'm going to guess that most of you reading this right now have some sort of idea of what this film is about. Please bear with me for the next paragraph because I supposed I knew what this film was about, but it is much more than what I had previously thought. I had never seen this film (please hold the gasps). It's a Wonderful Life follows the life of George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart Mr. Smith Goes to Washington) over a span of 26 years. George is a small town guy with grand ambitious to travel the world and accomplish great things. Unfortunately for George, life gets in the way and his aspirations of leaving his small town behind vanish very subtly. Taking over the family business that he didn't want and staying around to allow his brother Harry (Todd Karns) to live his life slowly takes its toll on George. Always the optimist, George presses on, marrying the live of his life Mary (Donna Reed From Here to Eternity) and has four beautiful children. It is only when George's life is thrown into jeopardy is when George contemplates taking his own life. What transpires next is the greatest eye-opening experiences in cinematic history.

Yes, I admit that haven't seen this film before, so I will say that I am a tad confused. As great as I thought this film was, I don't really understand why this is a Christmas movie. The film spans George's life and only in the last 30 minutes is Christmas ever really an aspect of the film. Of course this is a petty observation, but it got me curious. The film as a whole was amazing.

Jimmy Stewart's performance in the film is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Stewart is the ultimate nice guy in the film that puts his personal feelings aside for the good of everyone else. Stewart, to me, does more in the last 30 minutes of the film than some actors do in 2 hours. The range of emotions that Stewart project during this time was amazing. George's desperation is so clearly visible in Stewart that I actually found myself hurt for him. Alongside Stewart is the lovable Donna Reed. Reed is very likable as Mary and she matures through the film very subtly. Starting off as quite innocent and naive, Reed turns Mary into strong wife/mother who stand tall with Stewart toward the end of the film.

According to interviews with the late and great Frank Capra, he admitted that It's a Wonderful Life was his favorite of all his films. This is evident in the care that Capra seems to take with this film. Capra captures the good nature of the film and Stewart's attitude magnificently. This is especially true during those very important last 30 minutes. Capra focuses the camera just right on Stewart during the crucial bar scene which exemplifies everything that George has gone through during the course of the film.

 

This movie shouldn't be viewed only during Christmas. This movie is for anytime you feel depressed or when you question things in your life. This feel good movie will reinvigorate you and make you believe that nothing is too big to overcome. We touch more lives than we imagine, so remember that we all have people to pick us up when we fall down.

The Verdict: Worth Your Time (even when it isn't Christmas)