24th December, 2009
You know, what with one thing and another, I’ve not managed to organise a Movie Night for a while.
I really haven’t …
But, as it’s Christmas, I managed to persuade Adrian, Allison and Kevin to catch something a touch Christmassy.
Actually, I’ll be frank, I think we managed to catch the film that, since it was made back in 1946, has been regarded as possibly the Christmas movie.
The Frank Capra directed, James Stewart movie, It’s A Wonderful Life.
Tonight was the first time I’d seen it.
And, having seen it, I can understand why many consider it such a good film.
~≈§≈~
It’s A Wonderful Life opens with a long shot of the (fictional) town of Bedford Falls, with over-dubbed voices praying for the soul of central character, George Bailey, played by James Stewart.
Bailey is the head of the small town Bailey Brothers Building and Loans Company, that grants small loans to the towns working poor, and — having saved his younger brothers life when they were younger and granted loans to enable many in Bedford Falls’ to own their own homes, and avoid the clutches of local slumlord, Henry F. Potter — is something of a local hero.
But, before Georges’ younger brother Harry comes home a decorated war hero, $8, 000 goes missing from the family company, forcing George to seriously consider selling the company to the villainous Mr Potter.
And, standing on a snow-covered bridge in a fit of extreme depression, seriously considering suicide, to cash in on his $15, 000 life insurance policy: the only thing he can focus on being the simple fact that he’s worth more dead than alive.
Which is when many peoples prayer are, unbeknownst to George, are answered.
Because it is at his lowest point, a miracle happens, and an angel comes calling.
Or falling, I should say.
As a mysterious figure falls into the river, compelling George to dive in, to the rescue.
The conversation George has with the person he rescues — Clarence Odbody, played by Henry Travers — is one he has with his guardian angel, who’s been tasked to persuade George to live.
George is overwhelmed.
And wishes he hadn’t been born …
So Clarence shows him the exact ramifications.
How his first boss, a pharmacist, becomes a Skid Row alcoholic, after mistakenly misfilling a prescription, and poisoning two children.
How Bedford Falls becomes Pottersville: a dive of a town, rather than the all American ideal.
How the affordable housing estate he’d help fund and build, becomes a graveyard.
How his brother, Harry, dies at the age of nine, buried in that cemetery, thus never rescuing two stranded troop-ships.
And how his wife becomes a dried up, unloved single woman, never knowing the love he, and their children, provided.
Seeing all this, George — finding himself at the bridge — does something that, in these more cynical movie-making times, I think we would find difficult to accept.
He prays.
To be allowed to live.
Which is a prayer that’s answered.
As whoever’s up there returns George to the moment before he met’s Clarence, with a new appreciation of his life.
One that is — as the title tells us — a wonderful one.
Now I’m not going to spoil the ending totally for you.
But I am going to suggest that, if you’ve not seen It’s A Wonderful Life, you rent or buy a copy, ASAP.
It’s A Wonderful Life is, to my mind, quite simply one thing.
It’s THE unpretentious feel-good film.
Allison, I, Adrian and Kevin, all — ALL — came away smiling, after this.
And I’m thinking that means It’s A Wonderful Life is a film that’s done what it set out to do: make people feel good.
That’s a rare thing in a film, these days.
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