Today’s quick review: It’s a Wonderful Life. George Bailey (James Stewart) has led a selfless life, giving up his dreams to run the savings and loan for the people of Bedford Falls. His reward for his hard work has been a modest home that he shares with his loving wife Mary (Donna Reed) and their four children. But when disaster strikes on Christmas Eve, George receives help from Clarence (Henry Travers), an angel trying to earn his wings.
It’s a Wonderful Life is a classic drama about a good man driven to despair on Christmas Eve. James Stewart stars as George Bailey, whose compassion and determination have helped Bedford Falls immeasurably over the years, often at great personal cost. It’s a Wonderful Life charts the highs and lows of Bailey’s life, from the twists of fate that have kept him from the life he had planned to the consolations of friends and family.
It’s a Wonderful Life is a deeply human film with a mature perspective on life. George is not a saint. He makes mistakes, he is prone to frustration, and he has only barely managed to keep his father’s savings and loan open. Yet his reflexive generosity and his enthusiasm for the people around him make him a kind person and a compelling character. Through George’s character, the film captures the best of humanity and the sacrifice that entails.
Much of the enduring appeal of It’s a Wonderful Life comes from the way it tells its story. Beginning with George’s childhood, the film walks through his life step by step, giving the viewer time to invest in the residents of Bedford Falls. The drama is modest, personal, and all the more meaningful for it. By the time George faces his crisis, the stage is set for a powerful ending that remains one of the most iconic in the history of cinema.
It’s a Wonderful Life is a heartfelt classic with a moving story and characters that are full of life. Its tone may be too sentimental for some viewers, but its maturity gives it a much deeper appeal than the typical Christmas movie, capturing life’s disappointments along with its victories. Give It’s a Wonderful Life a shot when you are in the mood for an honest, uplifting drama that stands the test of time.
For a holiday classic in the same vein, try The Bishop’s Wife. For a classic story about a man given the chance to reexamine his life at Christmas, try one of the adaptations of A Christmas Carol. For a more tragic movie about the disappointments of life, try Penny Serenade. For the fictional biography of a selfish man, try Citizen Kane. For a classic comedy starring James Stewart with some of the same heart, try Harvey.
[8.6 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038650/). I give it an 8.0 to 8.5 for a beautiful, heartfelt story.