Recommendation: It's a Wonderful Life

A Christmas classic, and widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, It’s a Wonderful Life follows the trials and travails of George Bailey, a smart, ambitious, good-natured man whose charitable demeanor and familial circumstances confine him to the small, fictional town of Bedford Falls, New York. His brother becomes a college football star and war hero, his friends move to New York City and strike it rich, but George gets stuck dutifully managing his late father’s humble banking business and wistfully watches as the world passes him by. One fateful Christmas Eve, when a clumsy mistake escalates into a full-blown crisis, George seethes in frustration and laments his lifetime of missed opportunities. On the verge of taking his own life, he’s visited by the unlikeliest of apparitions.

What made me happy: The dialogue, the humor, the wit, the pacing, the editing, the snappiness — man, they truly don’t make ‘em like they used to. Watching this film is a total delight, and the black and white vintage makes the superb performances and understated scenery all the more colorful. In particular, James Stewart’s turn as George Bailey is inspired, teeming with heart, whimsy, and despair. The emotions he conveys — good, bad, and ugly — are visceral and practically jump off the screen.

As a history buff (see above), I also enjoyed the references to the globe-altering events which occur throughout the narrative. The 1918-20 influenza pandemic, the 1929 stock market crash, the Great Depression, and World War II all factor prominently into George’s story. In a strange way, it was likewise comforting to see people’s fundamental needs, wants, and desires — stable housing, financial security, and a loving family — haven’t really changed over the ensuing eighty years. Finally, and most importantly, the movie’s underlying message will melt even the iciest of hearts. Our lives are all interconnected, whether we like it or not, and the decisions we make — big and small, selfish and selfless — create lasting consequences for the people around us.

What made me sad: I know better than to romanticize the halcyon days of yesteryear, but the social cohesion and collective trust on display in this film hearken back to a more civilized time. These days the thought of a financial institution actively supporting its community — and doing the right thing in spite of its fiduciary obligation — feels downright absurd. Worse still, following the Covid-19 pandemic, and given the extreme partisanship and polarization of the past two decades, the idea that humans would rally around a common cause also struck me as fanciful. Worst of all, the film’s cartoonishly evil antagonist, Henry Potter — a Robber Baron and slum lord who stands astride Bedford Falls like a colossus — comes off as quaint in comparison to today’s truly nightmarish standards. Potter’s a villain in the purest sense, but on our present list of the biggest scumbags and shitheels destroying society, he wouldn’t crack the Top 100.

Final verdict: It’s a Wonderful Life is an all-timer for a reason. Catch this fantastic film with your friends and family this holiday season.

Where to watch: I was fortunate enough to enjoy my first ever viewing on the big screen, but you can stream for free, or rent for money, on several predatory platforms.