25 American Classics - It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

This is part 6 of a 25-movie series called “American Classics” – a survey of 25 influential and iconic American films from the past 100 years.

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

Dir. Frank Capra

Rating (Out of 5 Stars): ★★★★

What’s the best Christmas movie? Every December, many lists are posted around social media and the Internet regarding personal rankings and preferences of Christmas movies. It’s a unique subgenre that seems to capture the affections of American moviegoers. There is no shortage of new Christmas movies, which has been turned into a cottage industry thanks to people like my grandmother and the Hallmark Channel. (https://letterboxd.com/valdesbian/list/christmas-movie-posters-with-white-heterosexual/) There is the annual debate of whether or not Die Hard is a Christmas movie (I see both sides… but I tend to see it as one) but the better question may be if It’s a Wonderful Life, the presumptive classic topping the charts of best Christmas movies, is indeed a Christmas movie.

The Plot

Yes, the film is bookended by Christmas Eve. The climactic joyous ending is perhaps what springs to mind when one thinks of It’s a Wonderful Life. But the vast majority of the film takes place outside of the holiday season. The film begins decades prior as Capra presents flashback episodes in the life of Jimmy Stewart’s protagonist, George Bailey. It’s Christmas Eve in the small town of Bedford Falls, New York; Bailey is suicidal. The film takes a fantastical turn when an angel named Clarence is tasked with saving Bailey from his ideation in order to obtain his wings and become a 1st class angel. The film then joins Clarence is seeing episodes of Bailey’s life through flashback starting at age 12. Through the flashbacks, Clarence sees Bailey as the ultimate protagonist –he’s ambitious, intent on seeking adventures, and seeing the world. However, he comes to stay in his small town because he’s a kind and heroic man, willing to sacrifice himself for others. As the flashbacks continue, the core struggle and reason for Bailey staying in Bedford Falls materialize. Mr. Potter, a greedy banker, and George struggle against one another financially and for control of the bank and loan association of the small town. Mr. Potter’s overpriced slums are contrasted with Bailey’s desire to construct a housing development park. After Potter frames Bailey for stealing funds, Bailey finds himself at the end of himself, drunk at a bar with thoughts of ending his life. It is here that Clarence gives Bailey a vision of Bedford Falls without him in it—this alternate timeline is the town of Pottersville with violence, corruption, and an increase in marginalized populations. This vision shocks George into changing his outlook and asking for a second chance at life. The film ends joyously as Bailey is bailed out by the simple sacrifices of the people in the town, who give the money needed to cover what Potter framed him for stealing.

Now, this doesn’t sound like much of a Christmas movie; rather, it sounds an awful lot like the struggle of individualism, meaning and purpose, corporate greed, and the importance of sacrificing for the community. Sure, the climactic Christmas scene is memorable and angels get wings surrounded by Christmas trees, but the core themes of the film can be enjoyed and watched on any day of the year. So go ahead and watch It’s a Wonderful Life now in July without shame!

An Application 

A core aspect I latch onto when viewing It’s a Wonderful Life is George Bailey’s internal struggle between the desire to do great things while also wanting to stay and help the small town he loves. I can remember a quote that has somewhat haunted me growing up in the church. It comes from missionary William Carey—“Expect great things; attempt great things.” The pressure to go out and do something great was especially intense around the time I was graduating from high school and going to college (i.e. the time when I’m trying to figure out what to do with my life). Books like David Platt’s Radical were in vogue. The life of going out and attempting great adventures and doing something extraordinary was enormous pressure on young Christians such as myself. George Bailey wanted to do something great out there. When he decided to stay and presumably failed, the guilt and shame of a life lived without greatness and success nearly consumed him. It was only when he realized that true greatness can lie in the small humble sacrifices for others around you that his heart changed from sorrow to joy. He was freed from the internal pressure of performance and success to a humble life lived for others. That in and of itself is true greatness. Jesus agrees, “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,  even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mr. Potter’s idea of greatness is excess, consumption, and lording his authority over others, even at their expense. Bailey rejects this view of greatness, choosing to stay in one small town and serve those around him. This is the greater greatness.

Perhaps those reading this feel as if they have not lived up to their lofty childhood dreams and aspirations. I, myself, am not a Major League Baseball all-star. George Bailey personifies the importance of humbly serving others over many years in the same place. One final verse comes from Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

American Cinema

I haven’t said much about director Frank Capra, but I would not be able to do a survey of important American films without mentioning Capra. Capra was one of the foremost American directors of the 1930s and 40s. His masterpiece, in my mind, is 1934’s Best Picture winner It Happened One Night, which essentially established the rom-com subgenre. Other noteworthy films include the 1939 political film (you may have watched in high school) Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and 1938 Best Picture winner You Can’t Take It with You.

For further reflection:

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/geneveith/2013/05/radical-missional-christianity-as-the-new-legalism/

https://blog.acton.org/archives/53944-the-new-legalism-missional-radical-narcissistic-and-shamed.html#disqus_thread

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-its-a-wonderful-life-1946