Matt The Snapper’s review published on Letterboxd:
Watched in Black and White LIKE A BOSS!
After 73 years, Frank Capra’s masterpiece continues to remain relevant and a feel good movie. It helps that it’s become one of the most rehashed plots used in television (Christmas especially). But here’s something that most people wouldn’t believe: Despite it being considered one of the greatest Christmas movies, It’s a Wonderful Life is not really a Christmas movie. The last third of the film takes place during Christmas of course (which helps the message more), but in reality it’s really just a story about a man realizing how much he matters to the people around him. The film much like Citizen Kane is mainly just showing a character’s life story to where the culmination of the story takes place. That’s honestly pretty bold. The pacing keeps the film going with a lot of charm and likability.
James Stewart is probably one the most famous Golden-Age Hollywood actors due to his likability and his iconic lisp (not to mention he says “Now wait a minute”). So playing George Bailey was a perfect choice for Stewart to play. He’s a kind man who always puts others before himself. If anything, despite the forties time period and theatrics the film presents, it’s surprisingly realistic. He, he does good deeds and is a good man, but things keep going wrong and like any human being, he has his breaking points. Donna Reed is excellent is Mary, his wife and Henry Travers plays the witty but charming and wise Clarance who just wants his wings. I was also surprised by the amount of banking in the film. Lots of banking...*shivers* I never plan to be a banker or an accountant.
I really don’t know what else to say about this masterpiece. If you’re in the need for a feel good movie any point of the year (not just Christmas), please take a look at it.
(Ernie and Bert would later be resurrected into Muppets. Just saying.)
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