Stephen Gibbons’s review published on Letterboxd:
After making loads of WWII propaganda films for the US government, Frank Capra deliberately choose a project that would haul up the spirits. He set it at the happiest time of year and cast an actor who represented the America every-man in the lead.
"Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"
It’s A Wonderful Life is the greatest example of Capracorn. Hands down the filmmaker's masterpiece. One of Hollywood's great triumphs in social criticism.
It's crazy how audiences & critics didn't like this Christmas classic back in 1946. Americans only truly embraced the film during its re-released in 1974. It's no coincidence that this was right at the tail end of the Vietnam War and when the US people needed Capra's humanity even more.
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