It's a wonderful seasonal film (It's A Wonderful Life (DVD))

Member Name: gillyman

Product:	It's A Wonderful Life (DVD)
Date:	31/12/03 (115 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Positive values, simple but effective storyline, a family movie that is still relevant today

Disadvantages: Black and white may put kids off

"I picked up something from your era", I said to Mum as I left HMV with a bag full of films and waved It's a Wonderful Life at her. Her frown of disapproval told me that I was in trouble! Frank Capra's touching masterpiece, beloved of audiences around the world, is actually precisely the same vintage as Mum who would probably therefore regard her era as the 1960s. Apologies accepted, she insisted on joining me in front of the TV to watch what many consider to be James Stewart's finest couple of hours.

George Bailey (Stewart) seems to be stuck in a horrific rut. Although he dreams of leaving his small town home and making something of his life, circumstances trap him into taking over the running of his father's small Savings and Loan business. His father is a decent man, looking out for the needs of the locals who are tyrannised by money grabbing slum landlord Mr Potter (Lionel Barrymore). Bailey carries on in his father's tradition. This makes him well loved in the community but unsuccesful financially.

Bailey leads a good life, is married to the girl next door (Donna Reed) and has a brood of all-American kids. Storms are weathered at the Savings and Loan which is instrumental in allowing the local townsfolk to purchase bigger and better homes. Throughout, Potter continues to scheme to try to take over the business and stamp his control on the town and when clumsy Uncle Billy (Thomas Mitchell) mistakenly hands $8000 to Potter whilst the Inspector is in town, it seems like he will succeed - assuming that he doesn't do the honest thing of handing the money back.

After a confrontation with Potter where he is told that he is worth more dead than alive, Bailey takes the decision to kill himself. He is saved by the intervention of the Angel Clarence (Henry Travers) to whom he confesses that he wished that he had never been born. As a divine being (albeit at a low pay grade) Clarence gives him the opportunity to
see exactly what the world would have looked like had he indeed, never existed - as you might expect it is an unpleasant place and Bailey is shortly wishing his way back.

Whilst he realises the value of his life, there is still the small matter of raising $8000 to square things with the bank. This is where the true lesson of the film comes in as person after person, who has been helped by Bailey over the years streams in to donate money. In the words of Clarence - "Remember George. No man is a failure who has friends".

It's a Wonderful Life is not preachy. It has aged well and is a great film to watch with all the family. It takes a central message which is all to rare in today's world, namely that money is not the be all and end all in life. It is far better to do good, forego wealth of a material kind and instead to be well-loved rather than end up wealthy, miserable and hated by everyone.

Set in the season of good will just before Christmas, this film's simple positive message has made it a perennial favourite particularly at this time of year when its values are perhaps even more relevant than at any other time.

Sit down and watch it with the family!

I'd like to take the opportunity to wish you and your families and friends a Happy New Year. Hoping that 2004 brings you good health and happiness and perhaps most importantly, peace wherever there is discord around the world. Thank you for reading, Gilly.

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