Near the end of Frank Capra's holiday classic, Its A Wonderful Life, George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) is feeling down. He has devoted his life to others, and never fulfilled his dream of leaving his small supburb town, Bedford Falls. Standing upon a bridge above stormy waters, he looks down, contemplating suicide. He has potential he hasn't fulfilled -- yet, he has done so much for others. As a young chap, his ambition was to leave his hometown of Bedford Falls. But times and ambitions change. Things happen, and he's stuck. His guardian angel is there, and shows him that...It's A Wonderful Life. In a whirlwind tour of the town, George sees what life would be like without him. He learns the moral lesson, that to live is a gift. His earthly problems are solved. The climatic scene is a marvel. Frank Capra's film is a centenial classic -- watched and re-experienced by every generation. Wonderful Life is one of the few pictures of times gone by that seems as fresh, maybe fresher, then it did when it was first released. Many films of the thirties through seventies have aged poorly. But this one is a near flawless example of how well a perfect script and timing can mesh with first-rate acting, wit and suspense, glorious music, and terrific set peices. The only even slightly dated scenes are those at the begining in which God has a long chat with Clarence, George's guardian angel. They aren't all that bad, but they remain corny and a little out of place. Nevertheless, this is one film that deserves its place in time, cinema history, and our hearts. It can be equally appreciated by anyone of any age. Here is one genuine masterpeice, a classic that reaches heights and ambitions near perfection. This crackling good mixture results in a film which is at once funny, exciting, moving and uplifting. The film itself is almost a reversal of the life of George Bailey -- there isn't too much to it, but Capra and the gang (various screenwriters, composers, actors) plumet the material to its fullest potential. The result is a film -- though not at first intended to be pigeon-holed as a holiday film -- that will always be remembered, celebrated, and loved.
Grade: A+
- Max Solovitch Scheinin Read more of Max's work -- reviews, essays, theories, links -- @ http://www.garfieldlib.com/yanews/july97/max/max.html To subscribe to Max's work (includes all essays, theories, thoughts) write him @ solo@cruzio.com with the word "subscribe" in the header. You will receive e-mail on an regular basis, considering that Max is a lazy/busy kid. "We all go a little mad sometimes." - Anthony Perkins @ the Bates motel.
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