Review of It's a Wonderful Life (1946) by Little B — 13 Mar 2014

You know, I've realized I've had a wonderful life, but it took George Bailey a little longer for him to realize that. It's my review of It's a Wonderful Life right now.

An angel tells a frustrated businessman, George Bailey how things would have been if he had never been born.

How can I describe this movie? How about perfect? Magical? Poetic? Or even one of the greatest movie experiences of my life? All of those would describe my love for this film, It's a perfect film and EVERYONE needs to watch in their life time.

James Stewart leads this film as George Bailey, a man who's been challenged his entire life on helping out the people of Bedford Falls and keeping them safe from a greedy and selfish businessman. He walks on an Oscar worthy rope to what I think should have been Oscar gold. He's perfect in this role. He has a lot a heart, soul and passion for the people who surrounds him and he will stop at nothing to make sure nothing happens to them. Then we have the beautiful Donna Reed as Mary Bailey, his wife in the film. Along with James, she has a lot of heart in the movie and to me, she does one of the best jobs in the entire movie. How she did not get an oscar nomination is why question.

In supporting roles we have Lionel Barrymore as the evil and selfish businessman Henry Potter. Now if you want to talk about a douche, you got one right here. I'm sorry but that's what this guy is! He loves making everyone around him miserable and constantly trying to beat and defeat George. One of the best movie villains created right here. I know, he's not a Darth Vader, Hannibal Lector or Joker but he's more of a real life villain. Just like Amon Goeth from Schindler's List, he could be a real life man and I just him so much in this film. Not since Schindler's List have I hated a man on screen. And finally in a smaller but a huge role is Henry Travers, George's guardian angel who helps him out in his time of need. What I most liked about him was the fact that he provided some more of the funnier scenes, releasing a lot of the hard hitting drama. He was funny, old, kiddish but also wise and powerful. Loved all of these actors in their roles.

Speaking of the roles of the actors, I just loved the actual characters of the film! Not often do you really seen a lot of character build up in the movies today (well a lot of the shittier movies some of you watch). The real plot of the film doesn't kick in until the final hour or so and before then we get two hours to really become engaged and care for these people. George was just a regular man doing the best he could to help out his friends, he was a relatable guy and the more he was on screen the movie I wanted to see his story unfold. I can see where his struggles are coming from too, Potter like I said is a douche and he's in the fight of his life keeping him away.

Probably the best part of the story was the actual story. I loved the mixing of fantasy and drama into one thing. It's a 2 hour and 10 minute movie and the first hour and a half is just getting to know these characters and see how George affects these people's lives. When he wishes he was never born and you see how much he really did changed their lives it's just unbelievable how one man can do so much change. It's really interesting to think about, if you were never born and how would it affect the people around you? Quite a thought huh?

Just like 2012 Silver Linings Playbook, the movie is just a feel good movie. While watching Silver Linings Playbook, I felt wonderful watching it and I felt the same way here. The only difference is that it's the ultimate feel good about yourself movie and probably the best christmas movie, sorry Die Hard, you've been replaced.

The more I think about It's a Wonderful Life the more I love it. The characters are awesome and the actors do such a wonderful in their roles. The story is one of hollywoods greatest and it shocks me is that it did not win a single Oscar, wow bullshit to the academy. It's great to watch such a movie after watching the shit feast that was Robocop. too just saying that now It's a Wonderful Life is one of the best movies I have ever watched in my life.

I give It's a Wonderful Life a A+.