Paul D’s review published on Letterboxd:
Holiday Hoopla II: The Christmasening
#49
When Mr Potter is talking about suckers, he's talking about George Bailey as much as he is any of the other people in Bedford Falls who have allowed themselves to fall under his thumb.
Just take a look at what's being offered to him, a job with Potter which will pay more in a year than he will get in 10 years at the old Bailey Brothers' Savings and Loan. And why shouldn't he take it? These people have to be begged not to destroy a business which has seen many of them able to get out of Potter's slums and into homes of their own. They don't properly appreciate everything George has done for them, every sacrifice he's made, over the years, just for them, and just to spite Potter. So who wouldn't begrudge him giving up that unequal fight, and throwing in with Potter?
And just look at the prospects, Potter has no family, he's old, and infirm, how much longer can he last? And when he dies, where is all that wealth going to end up? Surely with the man who has just been offered a position as his right-hand man. And if George plays his cards right, maybe he can even get his hands on all that money even before Potter is mouldering in his grave, play him for a sucker for once, play him at his own game, and then stab him in the back.
After that, he can choose what he does with his money, maybe he might want to give a bit back, or maybe he'll get his name put on the town.
Then there's Violet. She's been throwing herself at George for years, and he just keeps on brushing her off. I mean, come on, dude, get your head in the game, there's not one man in Bedford Falls who wouldn't give their eye teeth to be with Violet Bick, and yet George Bailey is apparently oblivious. There's something wrong with him.
And to cap it all, he's being given a second chance. To hell with being shown what Bedford Falls might have turned out without him (there are an infinite number of variables at play for this to be the only possible outcome - I suspect he's being played for a sucker by Clarence and the powers that be), relieved of all the responsibilities which have weighed so heavily upon him to the point where suicide is the only option he feels is left to him, he should have said, "screw you Clarence, I'm off", and got the hell out of Bedford Falls.
Like I said, just another sucker.
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