Review of It's a Wonderful Life (1946) by Eric M — 22 Dec 2014

A big hearted, virtuous and moving picture in every way, "It's a Wonderful Life" is a true miracle of a film, inspiring with a hopeful, optimistic perspective that never falls prey to cheap sentimentality or narrative contrivances. Frank Capra crafted not only the supreme Christmas movie, but one of the transcendent masterpieces of cinema. Chocked full of brilliant performances top to bottom, good cinematography for the time, and genius writing that provokes uproarious laughter one moment and profound emotion and reflection the next, "It's a Wonderful Life" comes close to perfection of the craft. A powerful tale of one man who repeatedly gives up his greatest dreams for the sake of doing what is right, and eventually finds that there is far more rest and wonder in life to be find in right than in success, the movie realistically depicts the frustrations of choosing such a path, but shows that such sacrifices are worth it. A success on every front, one can only cheer along to "my big brother George, the richest man in town!".

James Stewart and Donna Reed's performances are particularly noteworthy and career-defining. Themes of wealth, greed, family, profit, love, sacrifice, value, and more are all touched on by this marvelous story that provokes deep thought along with profound emotion.