It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Ah Jimmy Stewart, you are the king of feel good sentimentality, if only for this film!  In 1946 Frank Capra created one of the most enduring and heart-warming movies of all time in It's a Wonderful Life.  Capra had already hit cinematic gold with Mr Deeds Goes to Town with Gary Cooper, Arsenic and Old Lace with Carey Grant, and once before with Jimmy Stewart in Mr Smith Goes to Washington (yes, Capra liked the word "Mr." in his titles.).  But nothing has quite endured in the public consciousness quite like It's a Wonderful Life.  And this fact is odd, considering the fact that when it was released it was one of his least-successful films.  In fact, critics really seemed to dislike it and audiences kinda stayed away.  It was not until repeat releases and regular television showings at Christmas time that It's a Wonderful Life got the recognition we know today.

To be honest, I can really understand critics panning this film when it first came out.  It is shmaltzy, sappy, and overflowing with (here's a funny phrase) hopeless optimism.  It's really hard to know which is worse; its theology of angels (also known as angelology, I kid you not) or the quality of the child actors.  There is so much to dislike that I forgive anyone who regards it as "not a good movie."

But all is forgiven for so many reasons.  Yes, it is not a perfect film, but it has a sweet, simple, and uplifting message: each of us can make such a huge difference in this world.  To remove a man or woman from existence is to make the world that much poorer.  Add on the top the notion that the American Dream is not really getting rich and powerful, but doing good for one's neighbor, and you have a very strong ethic going on here.

Therefore I say, so what if 75% of George Bailey's lines are sappy enough to make syrup?  Those lines are delivered by Jimmy Stewart!  So what if Karolyn Grimes -who played Zuzu -delivered one of my least favorite child actor lines in Hollywood history (the monotone and slurred together "look daddy, teacher-says-that-everytime-a-bell-rings [gasp of breath] an-angel-gets-its-wings!")?  I'm still so happy George has her petals back!  Who cares if Mr. Potter's character is some Hollywood leftist's swipe at free market capitalism?  I say the critique is needed, that unfettered greed is a problem in any society!  So what if the theology takes a few (dozen) liberties?  It still teaches a Christian moral.  So what if the ending seems a couple thousand miles over the top?  I want to believe that decent people will win in the end, supported and helped by other decent people!

This is not a movie I like because it is well done.  But I love it for how Jimmy Stewart simply makes me smile.  This is a movie that makes everyone wish they had a friend named Clarence.

So remember everyone, no one is poor who has friends!

Entertainment: 6/10
Artistic Value: 6/10
Technical Merit: 6/10

Overall:  6/10 (but I like it anyway!)