It’s a wonderful life (1946)

Director: Frank Capra

Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore

An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.

I wanted to see ‘It’s a wonderful life’ because it is sitting comfortably at the 20th spot of highest rated films on IMDB. Interestingly, on doing research on the film, I found the film received mixed reviews at the time of its release, and was a box office flop. In time, it became the highly rated movie it is today.

So what did I think of the film? Well, let’s just say I can easily understand why the film was not a box office success back in 1946. Due to its subject matter, many viewers might have found the film to be blasphemous. What, with an angel being sent down to Earth to help a man on the brink of committing suicide. The angel being sent down, is Clarence – an angel who hasn’t got his wings yet, and is hoping to get his wings when he succeeds in saving the suicidal George Bailey.

But what lead to family man George’s suicidal inclinations? Before Clarence is sent to Earth, angel Joseph tells George’s story so Clarence can familiarize himself with the man he is to save. The story starts with a 12-year old George saving his younger brother Harry’s life. Years later George is a fast-talking, high-spirited, adventurous young man. He has dreams of traveling the world and doing amazing things. Off course romance soon finds him, he marries and has kids. And he is working at his Father-in-law’s Building and Loan firm.

The events leading to George becoming suicidal was actually quite boring, and I sat there wondering how this movie could be so high rated. And then the final 20 minutes changed everything, and the film really got to me. These final moments salvaged the film to such an extent that it gave me goosebumps, making me think about a lot of things I never thought about before. Talk about thought-provoking!! I guarantee the film’s finale will make you ponder on your life, and you might even see the world in an entirely different manner.

James Stewart was exceptional as George Bailey! The film went on to receive 5 Oscar nominations, including an Oscar nomination for James Stewart as Best Actor. It was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Sound, and Best Film Editing.

Would I watch it again? I don’t think so, but I definitely won’t forget it!