Rating of
4/4
It's a Wonderful Life
SteelCity99 - wrote on 04/21/18
A "second class" angel who has waited 200 years for gaining his wings tries to help a desperate, suicidal businessman by showing him what life would have been if he had never existed.
I would really like to begin this review by saying that It's a Wonderful Life is a wonderful classic. Although I'm not a particular fan of Frank Capra, this is definitely his most heartwarming, inspirational and touching film.
The film received 5 Academy Award nominations for Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, Best Director and Best Picture. This film not winning any single Academy Award is beyond me. Although The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) was definitely strong competition, it wasn't as great and heartwarming as this film was. In fact, The Big Sleep (1946) was a superior film than both of those. The editing, direction and story are awesome. What I really loved about this film is the pace it follows and the structure of the plot. Most of the film is focused on creating a terrific story and developing characters in which we can really be interested in. That's why the story has such a strong effect.
The acting by the entire cast is superb. James Stewart gives away what comes to be his third worth-watching performance. Having starred in films such as Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) and The Philadelphia Story (1940), It's a Wonderful Life gave James Stewart another opportunity to show why he was one of the best actors of his time. He does not only portray a man who shows a great passion towards his life, his family and his community, but also a person who experiences one of the most shocking and wonderful events he ever had, causing a very notorious personality change in him, characteristics that contrast with his constant concerns and worriness throughout coming from the difficult times he has to face. Stewart's acting is truly remarkable. Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore gave away incredible and believable performances as well. Two thumbs up for that.
The pace is very fast, but also very effective. The way the constant flow of time is shown in the film makes us aware of what life can be and of how fast life can pass in the blink of an eye. Life is full of changes and special events, most of them unpredictable, and it is ruled by uncertainty. The movie really teaches us how we should always be expecting for the best and be prepared for the worst in order to succeed. Another message that this gem shares is that happiness emanates from within, and it is based in the optimism we can have every second of our wonderful lives. Life has so many small details and important people surround us every time, and those are the details we should be very thankful for, realizing the importance these have in our lives before we lose any of them.
Some of the shots are particularly beautiful, as so is the cinematography, occasionally. The editing is so well-made that it has the magic of transporting us through time for several years in the story. But it is Frank Capra's direction which makes this film so brilliant, and perhaps the best Christmas tale that has ever been told. Being It's a Wonderful Life (1946) one of the most heartwarming stories ever told, I urge everyone not to see it, but to live it. This is a wonderful experience for the whole family to be enjoyed at its fullest. I dare to say this is the best film of the year, and perhaps the greatest "feel-good" film ever. The magic of this story, besides from its beauty and very true messages, comes from the fact that it can be enjoyed several times and of course that it works perfectly for Christmas times in order to think about what we want, what we have and should be thankful for, and what we should change in our lives and personalities. A jewel that should not be ignored and that will last for a lifetime, no matter how "old" it grows, since even modern society can be moved by it and it is suitable for every single living soul.
98/100
