Film Review: Its a Wonderful Life

Director: Frank Capra

A 1946 comedy-drama that has frequently been labelled one of the best Christmas films of all-time with the crucial scenes set on Xmas Eve and for its heart-warming message. Despite initially performing poorly at the box office due to high production costs and stiff competition at the time of its release, it did finally become a commercial success as well as a critical one. It was nominated for five Oscars but actually won none.

George Bailey with his family

George Bailey (James Stewart) is deeply troubled after events in his life means everything didn't turn out like he always dreamed of, we get to see George's life in flashback to see what lead him to this point. Unhappy with life he attempts suicide but is saved by his guardian angel Clarence (Henry Travers). After George says that he wishes he'd never been born he gets to see what would have happened to his family, friends and the town of Bedford Falls if he had never existed.

It took until 1990 for the film to be deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the United States Library of Congress and selected for preservation in their National Film Registry. A prestigious honour held only by the most revered films, the story is a very enjoyable one with a clear message of appreciating the family and friends that are around you. Its a very sweet film but one that can't help but make you feel happy inside. Whilst the story of the Building & Loan that Bailey runs being a great example of how communities should be run at the time and even now rather than how banks have sprawled today. Another example of foreboding comes when we see the town without George Bailey has become Pottersville, many described this not as a nightmare for Bailey but a glimpse into what some towns have actually become at the time.

George Bailey with his guardian Angel Clarence 

James Stewart is brilliantly as the conscientious yet confident George who is always willing to step up and do the right thing, even at the detriment of his own feelings. His more comedic moments play perfectly into Stewart's character. The film follows his story for 95% of its running time and wouldn't have been such a big success without a great performance from its lead to carry it through.

4/4 An absolute Christmas classic