Kevin Chan’s review published on Letterboxd:
What else is there left to say? To the supreme levels of honesty one can muster, this appraisal was only meant to be short and the best one can do when it comes to a predominantly beloved, ingenious, heartfelt, and unapologetically Catholic/Christian film from Frank Capra that one has seen plenty of times and reviewed twice already is to bring you, dear reader, to my first review *here* and the second one *here*. However, the plan has changed… It must be understood that It’s a Wonderful Life is not simply and diametrically an excellent film, but a wholly loving and wonderful gift. A gift not just for the devout Catholic or Christian, but for those seeking meaning or willing to consider the notion that their lives, or life itself, are not simply comprised of a random occurrence of events, but are composed of events which happen for a reason. And not definitively a notion per se, but a fact. Overall, like the Bailey’s Adoration of the Eucharist at Latin Mass, their adoration of the power of prayer, and love for one another, there is an unashamed adoration of life as an important gift itself.
“Nowhere other than looking at himself in the mirror of the Cross can man better understand how much he is worth.”
— St. Anthony of Padua
Once more, living in the nice little snowy, serene, and Christmassy town of Bedford Falls, George Bailey has known nothing, but love for those close to him throughout his existence. Despite his biggest dreams of leaving town, starting anew, going to college, and seeing what’s out there in the vast realm of the earth, the kind-eyed James Stewart’s George has only made sacrifices throughout the years — at 12 years old, saving his younger brother, Harry, from drowning causing an ear infection rendering him partially deaf; receiving chastisement from the town druggist after preventing an accidental delivery of poison capsules to a client; taking over the auspices of Building & Loan in his 20s after his father’s death, etc. Due to these sacrifices made, the humble man began to perceive himself as a failure — Harry gets married before him and wins the Medal of Honor for his efforts in the Pacific Campaign of World War II, his efforts to attend college are hampered by his father’s death and having to take over the family business so as to prevent Bedford Fall’s notorious rich man, Henry Potter, from acquiring it. Each trial challenges George’s ambitions and energetic spirit. And eventually after a mishap that could cause a potential scandal and criminal charges, George begins to lose himself along the way, coming to think that life would be better off without him in it… and that he’d end his own suffering by removing himself from the gift of life. It only takes the prayers of his faithful family and his own invocation of God through the intercession of the angels and saints to send his guardian angel down, making him realize that the cross he has carried all these years shouldn’t crush him, but uplift him. And from that point on believe that he, George Bailey, has truly made a difference for the people’s lives around him. Truly, truly, it is a wonderful life.
Mr. Gower: I owe everything to George Bailey. Help him, dear Father. Joseph, Jesus, and Mary, help my friend Mr. Bailey.
Mrs. Bailey: Help my son, George tonight.
Bert: He never thinks about himself, God, that’s why he’s in trouble.
Ernie: George is a good guy. Give him a break, God.
Mary Bailey: I love him, dear Lord. Watch over him tonight.
Janie Bailey: Please, God, something’s the matter with daddy.
Zuzu Bailey: Please bring daddy back.
In my prior write-ups, the topic of guardian angels and its steeped Catholic teaching was jotted down in relation to Capra’s usage of the otherwordly and holy creatures of voluminous mystery. But let’s look at something else. In parallel to what was penned in my second review, “To begin with, this is not at all to sound proselytizing”.
Immediately, from the film’s opening, viewers hear Mr. Gower, the town’s druggist, seek the help of God the Father and the Holy Family to help George get back on his feet and out of the hellish rut into which he had fallen. Capra’s work, through the written script of Goodrich and Hackett, executes an unapologetically Catholic exuberance from the get-go, and it never stops. As it continues on, there comes the continual prayers from Bailey’s own mother, his wife, his friends, and his children — a beauty of prayer’s power and a foreshadowing of the excellent outcome. Soon after arrives the conversation between spiritual messengers and from them spurs the guardian angel, Clarence, assigned to save George and earn his wings.
Through such intimate cinematography utilizing a loving framing of characters and closeness to a satisfying and breathless degree — one that captures the essence of human goodwill and deep spirituality — the traditional Frank stylishly satisfies the good devout Eucharist receiver within himself to not eschew any instance or facet of love, romance, spirituality, and belief in the Word that was in the beginning, the Word that was with God, and the Word that was God. All in all, Capra made every attempt to promote the Almighty given virtue of selflessness.
“Early in his career, failing to establish himself, he knelt alone in a back pew of a cathedral. He was there 'to remind the Almighty here was another sacred sparrow needing help,' as recalled in Catholic Digest’s 'I Remember Frank Capra,' from January 1992, based on his autobiography. His career breakthrough came when he directed the highly successful ‘It Happened One Night’, starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, in 1934. Strangely, certainly to him, his triumph left him anxious as a director and hollowed out as a man. Success brought despair. He was lost and bereft. His conversion, as both an artist and as a person, came after he was told by an anonymous man, 'The talents you have, Mr. Capra, are not your own, not self-acquired,' as he recounted years later in his autobiography (and as noted in the same article in Catholic Digest). 'God gave you those talents. They are his gifts to you, to use for his purpose. When you don’t use the gifts God blesses you with, you are an offense to God and to humanity.'"
— Jay Copp. “Frank Capra ‘Earned His Wings’ With ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’”. National Catholic Register. www.ncregister.com/features/frank-capra-earned-his-wings-with-it-s-a-wonderful-life
And so it was at this point in time that the patriotically American Catholic helmer, possessing such a penchant for filmmaking, crafted genuine treasures all about the humble and rugged individual full of universal virtues known throughout Catholicism/Christianity — trying to make a difference and seek the values of truth not for himself, but for those around him and the results of such are found in their fullest forms in pleasingly shiny and silvery slivers of nitrate such as Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Meet John Doe, and this ‘46 diamond in the rough succeeding the glorious Allied victory of World War II. All examples of stellar movies to live on the silver screen promoted and continue to promote nothing but goodwill and virtues just as a variety of Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, and Powers were created all for the same purposes of quintessential goodwill and virtue.
[As the Angel Joseph recounts George’s life to Clarence so as for him to understand who he must save, he documents Harry Bailey’s achievements by shooting down many enemy planes in the Pacific. Clarence interjects…]
Clarence: Yes, but George.
Joseph: George? Four-F on account of his ear, George fought the battle of Bedford Falls.
[George is seen trying to keep everyone in line and in order]
George: Now, hold on! Hold on! Hold on now! Don’t you know there’s a war on?
[George seen blowing a whistle]
Joseph: Air raid warden. Paper drives. Scrap drives. Rubber drives. Like everybody else on VE Day, he wept and prayed.
[Shots of the quiet and humbly striking interiors of a Traditional Latin Mass in a Catholic Cathedral ensue]
Joseph: On VJ Day, he wept and prayed again.
From here viewers should see that despite the heroism displayed and enacted by George’s younger brother overseas, George’s own heroism must be acknowledged at home as well — holding down the fort brimming with normal everyday Americans concerned for their livelihood, being on watch just in case an attack occurs on American soil, scrapping for materials alongside others, and also rendering himself fully to Christ at Mass. And later fully realizing that power of Christ at Mass on the Eve of Christmas.
James Stewart’s George Bailey, similar to his turn as Jefferson Smith and akin to Gary Cooper’s Longfellow Deeds and Long John Willoughby, rummages through the aches and pains of existence to their fullest degree to realize that his selfless actions weren’t for naught, but were for a solid and fundamental purpose — to make those around him see the light at the end of the tunnel and discover that their lives are of exceeding value. Had George not been such a man of honor, sincerity, and uprightness, the people surrounding him would not only see themselves as his friends, but as his family. And without the power of prayer on their part as well, George’s desperation to witness such value may have failed.
If anything, it isn’t just the viewers who must see that Mr. Bailey is a figure to emulate, but the good ol’ director saw the head banker of Building and Loan as a model of integrity himself. Peeps must come to understand that Capra saw these projects he produced as inspirations not only for them, but for himself as a reminder to be a better man, a better son, a better father, and a better worker. Some, if not many filmmakers, may see their features as pieces of art and admiration, but Capra saw his movies as humbling pieces of delight that only ensured to never forget those around him and continually be an example of the kindhearted hero that his protagonists were — Jefferson Smith, Longfellow Deeds, Long John Willoughby, and last but not least George Bailey, a man of faith, hard work, and selflessness. A Catholic who bore his cross and lost hope just for a bit, only to receive the help he needed from those who loved him, especially God.
Out of all Frank Capra’s inspirational protagonists brought to everyday working denizens of small towns and bustling cities, whether they be humble and happy families or citizens working and scrapping their way through the hardships of life, it seems to be that George Bailey is the most personal to him and the example of a man he aspires to be — one of reinvigorating Catholic faith, humility, steadfastness, and full of wondrously undying dreams. Even through his toughest battles he falls, but magnificently finds his way out of the rubble into a new idealized life. It’s an example of who every man should aspire to become.
“Do not lose heart, even if you should discover that you lack qualities necessary for the work to which you are called. He who called you will not desert you, but the moment you are in need he will stretch out his saving hand.”
— St. Angela Merici
Not sure if it’s even necessary to keep writing about a film you love more than three times (although it’s happened). But there definitely is a feeling that my mind and soul have exhausted their efforts in praising and proving the values of this film and how personal it is to not only me or most people, but the inspirational Frank himself. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
