It's a Wonderful Life (1946) Review

CLAYTON'S CHRISTMAS CINEMA!

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) Review

Few Christmas films have managed to achieve what It’s a Wonderful Life has. Not only is it undoubtedly one of the greatest—debatably the greatest—Christmas-themed films ever made, it’s also one of the best films ever made in general, and is undoubtedly a classic in every sense of the word.

It begins with George Bailey (James Stewart in one of his most memorable roles) contemplating suicide on Christmas Eve. Clarence, (Henry Travers) an angel who hasn’t yet earned his wings, is assigned the task of saving George, and to prepare for this difficult task, he is shown his life. The story follows George from his childhood to his adult years. As a kid, George falls in a frozen pond while ice skating with friends and becomes deaf in one ear as a result. It’s these little details that make him, as well as the other characters in the film, so memorable and unique. After seeing George’s life in what is essentially an extensive (and extremely well structured) flashback, Clarence comes down and intervenes with George’s plan, jumping off the bridge into the river just like he was planning to. George saves Clarence, who proceeds to show George what life would have been like if he had never been born, and all the people whose lives he has positively affected over his life.

It’s extremely hard not to like or at the very least appreciate It’s a Wonderful Life. The film really is a character study, and a great one at that. We get to see many big events in George Bailey’s life, a number of them quite in depth, but it never feels overly indulgent or too extensive. There are more unforgettable scenes and quotable lines than I can count on my fingers, and it’s clear many other Christmas films have been influenced by this one. It’s difficult to truly pinpoint anything wrong with It’s a Wonderful Life. You may think it would seem outdated given that it’s nearly seventy years old, but there are surprisingly few aspects that really feel out of date. Across the board—acting, story, music, emotional impact—nothing is lacking.

This is a shorter review, because there isn’t much more to be said, other that if you haven’t seen Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life, then you’re missing out on the ultimate Christmas classic, and you should go watch it right now!