130 Minutes
1001 Movie Club Rating 10/10
Directed By: Frank Capra
Written By: Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett
Staring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, and Henry Travers
Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he? -Clarence
Review:
Without question this film is a classic. Most kids have seen it and most adults catch it each holiday season to the sound of magical bells ringing and angels getting their wings. There is pure magic here, along with a sad story, but becomes uplifting and can’t help but leave you with a sense of hope by it’s end. It may make you cry or smile, but it also reminds us to appreciate the important things in life and what we have.
On Christmas Eve of Bedford Falls, the guardian angel Clarence is assigned to convince the desperate George Bailey to not commit suicide. After losing eight thousand dollars of the family business, Mr. Potter finds the misplaced money and hides it from Georges Uncle Billy. When the bank examiner discovers the shortage later that night, George realizes that he will be held responsible and sent to jail. Even after his sentence, the company would collapse, finally allowing the evil Mr. Potter to take over the town. Clarence can’t talk him out of it so he shows George what the world would have been like without him in it.
This is more than a Christmas film. It’s a movie that makes you look like your life and question what exactly the world would have been like if YOU weren’t born. The message is successful because JimmyStewart’s performance is one of the most memorable performances ever on film or his career. He is incredible, and his riveting yet tangible execution makes it magical yet believable.
This is one of the most memorable movies in history and one that has the timeless quality to continue to last throughout the years. It will never stop encouraging you to appreciate the little things that you have, and in a way that isn’t cliche. It makes you want to hug your parents more, tell your friends how much you love them, and remember exactly how much you do influence each others every day life. It’s A Wonderful Life is a classic, and wondrous inspirational story that may incite sad and happy tears.
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Popularity: 1% [?]
Believe or not, this past Christmas eve was the first time I watched the movie in its entirety. It’s a wonderful movie! The end scene got me pretty good I must admit but in a way, just the fact that Hollywood doesn’t make these kind of movies anymore would make anyone sad.
Feel good movie. The one that got me into old films