It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

"Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends."

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is a film that I will watch every Christmas Eve for the rest of my life. 
It never fails to tug at my heart strings and inspire me to better myself.

When frustrated businessman George Bailey (played by the immortal James Stewart) is in despair, his guardian angel helps him see what the world would be like if he never existed.

This American movie classic isn’t just a Christmas film, it has to be one of the greatest films ever made. Although the film wasn't a box office smash when it was released in cinemas in 1946, nearly 70 years since it’s release it is regarded as a timeless classic. 

James Stewart gives the performance of his career as the troubled but much loved George Bailey. Stewart took some time away from acting to consider his career after his experiences in World War 2. However, after speaking with Frank Capra and reading the script, he decided to make his return to the big screen as George Bailey.

James Stewart is so enveloped in the role that he and George Bailey become one person as he delivers “movie magic” in every scene. We watch on, helpless, as the youthful optimism is knocked out of him with each passing sacrifice that he makes to better someone else’s life. He pulls the audience into George Bailey’s life and forces us to care about him, unconditionally. He explores the darker aspects of a character in George Bailey, which was surprising to audiences who hadn’t ever seen him take on such a serious role.

James Stewart often said in interviews that, of all the films he's made, 'Its a Wonderful Life' was his favourite. 

Donna Reed plays the childhood sweetheart and great love in George Bailey’s life - Mary Hatch. In her first starring role, her relationship with James Stewart is both believable and charming, there isn’t a moment in the film that you can question the bond they obviously share. If it wasn’t for the talented duo of James Stewart and Donna Reed and the work they obviously spent on the characters, then the ending that is so powerful wouldn’t be even half as compelling. 

Each and every scene becomes a classic moment as the knockout cast deliver heartfelt performances. Henry Travers gives an unforgettable performance as George Bailey’s guardian angel - Clarence. The back and forth relationship that Clarence and George have is one that I always love to watch and really enhances the ending.

With such strong performances from an extremely talented cast, the world that Frank Capra creates really comes to life. Despite it’s classic Hollywood edge, it has one foot strongly placed in a realistic world. We are taken to some dark places with George Bailey and Frank Capra had to carefully control these moments to create the most impact and, more importantly, make them as believable as possible. 

Each event in the film has a direct cause from a past event or interaction that you can trace back through the plot. This is extremely important in any film dealing with such a large span of time with so many characters and ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ does it gracefully. Clarence allows George Bailey to see what the world would be like without him and there’s no doubt as to why things turn out the way they do. Cause and effect, action and reaction.

There is a constant balance between light and dark in the film. For instance, the dark (and often sinister) moments we experience in the film are directly contrasted by the humour in the characters and situations. The good times are balanced with the bad times. That constant back and forth between two contrasting ideas is a reflection on life itself. Even the fact that it was shot in black and white, I think, is a perfect example of light and darkness.

The film explores the idea that each and every person can make a difference in the world, sometimes without even knowing it. This inspiring idea is central to the film, each character is somehow affected by George Bailey’s existence. Every decision he makes has an impact, not only on his own life but on the lives of the people he knows and loves most.

If I was asked to suggest a film that adequately reflects the legacy of the human race then ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ would undoubtedly be one of the films I’d choose. It is a truthful telling of the human experience that will restore your faith in humanity. The ups and downs of life are carefully and honestly portrayed, it depicts the human condition in an optimistic but realistically grounded way and features a poetic ending that would bring a tear to a glass eye.

If you watch any film this Christmas then let it be ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’. 

You’ll laugh and you'll cry but you will ultimately see that it really is a wonderful life.