rating:
(out of
4 stars)United States; 1946
Directed by Frank Capra; produced by Frank Capra; written by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra
Starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Beulah Bondi
Below you will find a temporary review for this film. The real (better, more complete) review will be online very soon.
'It's a Wonderful Life' is one of those movies every person in the world
should see. Everytime you feel a little down you just have to think about
this movie and reflect things on yourself. The story about a man named
George Bailey (James Stewart) who wants to commit suicide but is saved by an
angel who shows him how the world would be without him is one of the most
beautiful stories I have ever seen. It is touching, funny and it makes the
perfect and best family movie there is.
George's life seems to be pretty happy with his wife Mary (Donna Reed) and
his kids, although his dreams once were to travel a lot and then finish
school. He still has those dreams but unfortunate things keep him in his
hometown Bedford Falls. He has to take care of the business his father left
him because if he doesn't the evil and greedy Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore)
will take over the last his doesn't own and the town will be his. He decides
to kill himself after his associate uncle Billy loses 8000 dollars and Mr.
Potter seems to get what he wanted all along. Then the angel appears and
shows him what he has done to the people in the town and how much he will be
missed.
James Stewart is one of the greatest actors that ever lived and here he
gives one of his finest performances. He appeared in great movies directed
by Alfred Hitchcock (Rope, Rear Window, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Vertigo),
John Ford (The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance), George Cukor (The Philadelphia
Story) and earlier ones from Frank Capra (You Can't Take It with You, Mr.
Smith Goes to Washington) who directed this movie. Together with Vertigo for
me this is his best movie. Donna Reed in her first starring role is lovely
and gives a fine performance as well and Lionel Barrymore is a terrific evil
villain.
There are great scenes in this movie. The scene where he is still a kid with
Mary talking in his ear he can't hear with, and where he saves his brother
are great. The scene where the dancing floor moves and a pool appears to be
under it and George and Mary jitterbug right into it is memorable. This
movie with its message is a real classic masterpiece.