2172

Acting: 5.0; Language: 5.0; Theme: 5.0; Content: 5.0; Overall: 5.0

An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.

***December 21, 2021***
***December 12, 2022***
***December 25, 2023*** ( )

A wonderful film, now a classic. Black-and-white, starring James Stewart as the depressed businessman George Bailey. Flashbacks to his life, leading to a crisis and almost pushing him over the edge, then a delightful episode with his guardian angel, the bumbling Clarence.

Very well made, and quite a captivating watch, although some scenes are a bit violent for young or sensitive children. There are innuendoes too, but nothing explicit, and no bad language to speak of. But some quite tense and potentially worrying situations including a near drowning and a fist fight.

Highly recommended to adults and teens wanting a rather different Christmas film with en encouraging message. Heartwarming in places, moving in others.

Longer review here: https://suesdvdreviews.blogspot.com/2020/12/its-wonderful-life-james-stewart.htm... ( )

Perfection; this film never grows old and this Platinum Anniversary Edition is excellent. This prompted my wife and daughter to agree to watch Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, then Mr. Deeds Goes to Town. They agree that it's hard to find anything modern to match the spirit these films have. I'm not going to say old actors are better than new ones; they aren't. But when films were made with a wide audience in mind rather than just those willing to pay to go to the movie theater on a date, they were simply better as a whole. There are always exceptions, of course. ( )

Angels intervene when a selfless man considers suicide.

I had had the impression of this movie being sappy, sentimental mush. So it really took me by surprise when I sat down to actually watch the whole thing (instead of seeing a scene here or there out of context) how much I was genuinely emotionally involved. It does kind of turn dopey once Clarence shows up, though. I can't help but thinking it would be a better movie if it ended there and skipped the whole "what if" gimmick.

Concept: D
Story: C
Characters: A
Dialog: A
Pacing: B
Cinematography: C
Special effects/design: B
Acting: A
Music: C

Enjoyment: A

GPA: 2.9/4 ( )