It's a Wonderful Life

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⭐10/10

I'd seen this one a time or two, but it had been a few years and I was hazy on the details. I was a little worried that it maybe wasn't as good as I remembered, but no, this is a true masterpiece and the ultimate Christmas movie for a reason. A few spoilers ahead for this 80 year old movie. 

My initial thought was that the setup is completely different than what I remembered. For the ninety minutes, there is no hint that this is a Christmas movie. I thought this was about half setup, and then the angel comes in for the second half, but it really is only about the final 30 minutes. Up until then, it's this incredibly compelling story of James Bailey having all the potential in the world, but life gets in the way and he is forced to watch as all his friends and family surpass him. I think the reason this works so well is that James Stewart is actually incredibly likeable in this role. You root for him to succeed, but he tries to do the right thing, and even tries to be happy for those who are living the life he should have had. I felt for him, and it makes that negotiation with Mr Potter all the more devastating. It's terrific because while you admire him as a reluctant hero, you start to realize that he really is so much better than he has to be. 

The final scene is complete ecstacy. Initially I wanted to be skeptical of this tidy resolution where everything works out, but it totally got to me, seeing all of his good will come back around. I do think a scenario where it doesn't is also worth exploring, but I thought this was the perfect conclusion. While his friends were investing in cars and homes, he invests in people and his community and is rewarded for it. Again, that seems a little silly, but it totally works here and I was weeping real tears. It got to me! It made me want to be a better man!

This movie has aged incredibly well, a true timeless wonder. There are some questionable things that happen in the first 30 minutes or so, but I was impressed at how modern this felt. Stewart gives an incredible performance and one that's really just not common in that era. I haven't seen anything else with him in it, but he certainly needs to be my gateway into the Hitchcock movies next year. I'm his newest, biggest fan even though he's been dead for thirty years. 

So yeah, not many thoughts besides. Our Christmas Eve movie of choice, and I'm upset I haven't made it a more regular part of my annual Christmas tradition. Awesome movie. 

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