My god was this miserable misery the main character goes through far away from the wonderful feel-good stuff I was expecting this to be. But my god was it powerful. It's a wonderful life expertly sets up an emotionally involving descent into depression, into emotional downfall, which is brilliantly performed by a spellbinding James Stewart, before the thing actually starts to live up to its title, which it really does.

Once the message becomes clear, it's also clarified that this film is, indeed, wonderful. Once we realize this entire journey was necessary for Stewart's George Bailey to realize what's really important in life, things like family, caring, loving and being loved, we also come to realize that it's not yet too late for him to set everything right again. With an "A Christmas carol-like" structure and plot and a fittingly similar ending, it's an enthrallingly amazing journey. The final act is such a huge contrast against the rest of the film, with that strong sense of pure relief, of absolute joy and overwhelming happiness, which gives the ending even more of an emotional impact.

There are multiple scenes in this film I would describe as top notch cinematic quality, making it's title of essential classic entirely and rightfully deserved. One that might be bleaker or more sad than you imagined, but nonetheless enthralls from start to finish, due to the outstanding writing and the sympathetic characters. . . those human beings of whom you just start to care for immediately thanks to the excellent acting. You just want to succeed them so badly, at any time you can't wait to see what comes next, untill this highly atmospheric and well shot film ends on a magically high note with what is undoubtedly one of the most satisfying and most meaningful endings in the history of film.