It’s a Wonderful Life is a 1946 “Christmas” movie, up there along the classics in its genre such as A Christmas Carol, The Grinch and dare I say the first Die Hard (see my other article). Directed by Frank Capra, it stars James Steward and Donna Reed.
The movie itself is meant to be wholesome; I will not go in depth with the plot as it is a fairly known movie and the story is very straightforward. It is about a man who self-sacrifices his desire to explore the world and do something with his life to help the people in his hometown. During a difficult moment he has a crude epiphany and is told that he is worth more dead than alive (because of an insurance policy on his life); it is in this very moment that an angel is sent forth to show him the “what if” scenarios life would be without him. It is because of this gimmick that the main character understands that his life is not worthless: through his mere existence and through his actions he has in fact managed to help many others. It’s a Wonderful Life goes even beyond that and provides an important consideration on how much people are influenced by others, in this case with a positive connotation:
“Each man’s life touches so many other lives, and when he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole”
The moral of this movie is evident and although it may be argued that life is not always as straightforward as “do good and you will be treated accordingly”, the intention behind it is still worthwhile. Instead of expounding on my personal views on this matter and bore you with biased opinions, I will end on a simpler note: It’s a Wonderful Life is a Christmas movie and as such it is meant to make others feel empathy and more inclined to kindness. Here’s what always bugged me though: why be kinder only in December, during the festivities, and not try to apply that same compassion throughout the entire year?
I would like to take a moment and say a few words about Lionel Barrymore and Henry Travers, two actors who usually portray secondary roles but who have had a long and impressive career.
Henry Travers, especially during the 30’s and 40’s, took part in many motion pictures usually in the role of a lovely, friendly, frequently clumsy, old man; in this particular case, he is the angel sent to help the main character. Between his sweet manners and kind expression, he does a marvelous job in depicting these types of characters. [And yes, I know that he acted also other roles, thinking for instance of The Invisible Man and The Bells of St. Mary’s]
Lionel Barrymore, on the other hand, usually played the unpleasant, possibly rich, bitter old man; one that possibly towards the end becomes sweetened by his circumstances. Examples of such roles are Grand Hotel, On Borrowed Time and You Can’t Take it with You. His face was just made for such roles and if not for his arthritis, he would have even played the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in MGM’s A Christmas Carol.
I would give this movie a solid 6 ringing bells out of 10.