Day 360: It's A Wonderful Life

Directed By- Frank Capra

Writer(s)- Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Jo Swerling, Frank Capra; Based on the Book "The Greatest Gift" By Philip Van Doren Stern 

Starring- James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Henry Travers, Thomas Mitchell, Beulah Bondi, Todd Kerns, Ward Bond, Frank Faylen

Run Time- 2 hr. 10 min.

Critics Review- "Combine the characters, the story, the message, and the acting, and it's easy to see why It's a Wonderful Life isn't just a holiday favorite, but a great movie by almost any standards."- James Berardinelli "ReelViews"

Rotten Tomatoes Rating- Critics- 93% [CERTIFIED FRESH] Audience- 94%

Out of a possible 5 stars- 4 1/2 stars

[WARNING: CONTAINS MAJOR TO MINOR SPOILERS]

My Review- 

This is one of those films that you have to watch, because it is so damn good. Even though it is a bit lengthy, it is beautifully made and the meaning behind the film is in it from start to finish and I can see why it has become an instant classic throughout the years. I have seen a few movies from James Stewart, but this one has to go to the top of the list. I never really knew what this movie was about, apart from the clips and homages I have seen or heard from it particular with The Killers Christmas song "Boots" which has a sound clip from a pivotal part of the movie and now I can see why they put it into a song. When it comes to movies about Christmas or near Christmas this one has to top them all since it can be more meaningful since it has to do with family, and what happens to a man if he is about to lose everything because of one man. Stewart's character George Bailey cares more about everyone than himself and its like this throughout the whole entire movie, until the last 30 minutes. The last 30 minutes of the movie is the most powerful for the character of George Bailey, having to see what life would be like without him, made an impact, that for once he was not thinking about anybody but himself, and it changed him.That is what made the movie so great and could not have been done by anyone else but James Stewart, he can play the person who will care about everyone but himself and having to learn all that again and pull it off was really great to see on screen. This movie has held up after all these years and I believe will still hold up for years to come especially for the right message and it is told to George by his guardian angel Clarence, well two quotes actually "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?' and "Remember no man is a failure who has friends."