Director: Frank Capra
Year: 1946
Country: US
Language: English
It's a Wonderful Life is one of those ageless films like Wizard of Oz or Citizen Kane. It's a film that is watched dozens of times whether film enthusiast or not. It is loved for its intriguing story about an honest man who falls on hard times. A timless fable that is often known as "that movie shown every Christmas". The reason it has been shown on every Christmas is simple, it went public domain. Television stations could air the film at no cost to them and in the 70s that is exactly what happened. PBS gave birth to a tradition of showing this film as a holiday special to counter its rivals. Therefore a growing audience gave way for this film to be as well known as it is.
Though Director Frank Capra never intended this film to be a Christmas special, he didn't even think of it as a Christmas film. He made this after fighting bravely, and surviving, in World War Two. It was meant to be a celebration of the American Tradition. The American spirit that would not quit and the American hearts that would beat through eternity. Its message about how the common man could inspire many people's lives was apparent throughout the film.
The hero is George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) a common man with a common job and a common dream. He lives in Bedford falls but dreams of off wandering off to a far off land (Luke Skywalker anyone?) but things keep piling up on top of each other and he can never seem to find his way out. The responsibilities of his Savings and Loans store are just the tip of the iceberg, of course he also has to deal with the greed of mean old Mr.Potter (Lionel Barrymore), a dirty banker. The plot thickens when George's uncle loses some very important bank funds, which makes Potter chuckle. Bailey gets depressed and tries to kill himself, thinking his life and the lives of the people around him would be better if he had never been born, attempts a jump off a bridge but then an Angel named Clarence saves him and shows him Bedford Falls, as if Bailey had never been born.
This is where the film loses me. Bedford Falls is now called Pottersville, because Mr.Potter owns the place. It's supposed to be a wicked place, because Potter is a wicked person and if Bailey stayed alive he could've stopped Bedford Falls from being Pottersville but everything looks more bright and vibrant. People are having fun, Bailey's wife (Donna Reed) actually has a decent job as a librarian. Because of an absent minded bartender a lot of angels get wings (every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings). It looks like a fun place that I would go on vacation to. Of course, because Bailey hasn't been born he doesn't save his brother from slipping through the ice but so what? America STILL won World War Two.
I know this isn't Capra's idea, but it's almost as if the film has something to say about the North American ego. That because of the way North Americans are raised, especially nowadays with all the superhero films, we think we can change the world with one mighty thrust of our hands. That when America comes to play, the rest of the world better look out. Nazis? Meh. The ending is supposed to be cheerful and bright, but is it? Nothing happens to Mr.Potter and George is still stuck in Bedford Falls. What is to stop the rich man from doing the same thing? What is to stop George from going into a manic depression after he realizes nothing has changed? Will Clarence help him after he already got his wings? There are still loose ends and every-time I see this film I'm not thinking "way too go Bailey!", I'm thinking "Bailey, you poor sap"
In conclusion, It's a Wonderful life may be a great simplistic American Christian "hurrah, hurrah" drama but it shouldn't be recognized as one of the great films of all time. Simply, because it relies on ignorant bliss and wishful thinking. Though the cynicalness of the great post-war European films has probably got to me. I also like Jimmy Stewart MUCH more when he's playing a villain. A decent "fantasy" but that's all this film can be, "fantasy". Piss on it! 2/5
No comments:
Post a Comment