50. It's a Wonderful Life

Frank Capra, 1946

“No man is a failure who has friends.”

Everyone loves this movie. Everyone. And the two of you who don’t? You’re dead to me. Seriously, though, or at least as serious as we get around here, this film is simply unimpeachable. It is, in essence, a stirring testimony to the power of the life of the common man. George Bailey is no superman. He gets angry. He gets depressed. Hell, he even gets suicidal. He is not a rich man. He is not a politician. He is, however, a good man. He is a man who puts the needs of others ever before himself. He is a man who always does what’s right. Oh sure, it would be easy to go to work for Potter, make a little more money, shake the dirt of that crummy old town off his shoes, and see the world, but, then, what would happen to Bedford Falls? He could go off to travel Europe, but then who would run the building and loan? What would happen to the townsfolk whose money is invested there? No, sir, George doesn’t take the easy way out. He takes the right road. That is what makes him a hero.

I’ll tell you what; I’m there for him, too. I sympathize with George Bailey, from beginning to end. He is the average man, but then, so are we all. He’s the kind of guy you want to be and its so heartbreaking when everything crumbles around him, not through any fault of his own, but thanks to the cold, black heart of Potter, played with consummate evil by the great Lionel Barrymore. It’s unbelievably tragic when George realizes that the only way left for him to help people is with his death. Only his insurance money can save the building and loan. Ah, but then, then the big finale. This is probably the most heart warming thing you’ve ever seen in your life. George has been so put down this whole movie, but when he finally really needs help, the whole God damn town turns out. I get choked up every time. I’m getting a little choked up right now. That final scene, when all the townsfolk show up with the money that George needs. . . Holy crap is it touching. That’s right, Clarence. That’s right. No man is a failure who has friends.

The key to this movie, though, has to be two men: Jimmy Stewart, who plays George, and Frank Capra, the director. This movie could so easily have been the cheesiest thing to come down the pipes in years, and, yet, it never even comes close to that. These two guys have crafted a film and a role which are both perfectly sincere. There’s no winking at the camera. There are no painfully saccharine moments. Both men clearly believe in what they’re doing here. Both me clearly believe that every human life is worthy of epic storytelling. It’s a Wonderful Life is a testament to best parts of humanity and I’m proud to have it on my list.