Review of It's a Wonderful Life (1946) by Ross B — 06 Jan 2012

A true holiday classic and a classic of American cinema. Jimmy Stewart stars as George Bailey, a banker who has always dreamed of leaving the small town of Bedford Falls where he has grown up. Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore at his most crotchety), who owns most of the town, is constantly trying to get Bailey out of business so that he can own the rest of the town.

While George is married to a lovely woman named Mary (Donna Reed), has four lovely children, and tons of friends George just still isn't happy. Whenever he gets close to leaving Bedford Falls to see the world, something always stops him.

It all comes to a head when on Christmas Eve, George discovers that there is a missing $8,000 in his accounts and is now possibly in trouble with the police. He sees that his business, job and possibly life are in trouble.

What happens next is what we would call a "Christmas Miracle". Frank Capra creates another yarn of "Capraism" in which the American dream is rediscovered. Jimmy Stewart is funny, passionate and a great embodiment of the every man.

I am still shocked that it took me 22 years to finally watch the full film and look forward to watching it every holiday season after this.