Frank Capra’s 1946 Christmas film "It’s a Wonderful Life" covers the life of George Bailey (James Stewart) and the struggles that he faces between his family, his finances and missed opportunities. After facing financial ruin due to a bad relationship with the town’s richest man, Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore), and a bad night with his wife, Mary Hatch (Donna Reed), George plans to end his own life. Just before he carries out his plan, a guardian angel, Clarence (Henry Travers), visits George and helps him realize all of the good that he has put into the world around him.
I thought this film was spectacular. Every aspect of it felt traditional. The film was in black and white, and that did a lot for the coziness factor. The soundtrack featured different Christmas songs and even nursery rhymes, and all of the soundtrack was played with a piano, which added on to the classic feel. I liked the comforting premise of the movie, and I thought the ending was incredibly heartwarming.
I thought the film expressed morals very well. While the movie was not advertised as explicitly religious, it does have some features of religious characters like God and an angel. While these characters do exist and work to further the plot, the main focus has to do with the transformation of George’s morals. The film portrays the change of George’s attitude from the beginning to the end.
The film also feels circular as far as the plot goes. The beginning opens with celestial beings discussing George’s condition. Then it covers George’s life, and what specific situations got him into the trouble that he faces at the end. In its closing, the celestial beings reconvene, and the viewer is able to understand the purpose of the beginning scenes. I really liked the way the plot was set up, as it was easy to understand.
I think "It’s a Wonderful Life" is a movie that could be watched at any time of the year. Although it is widely regarded as a Christmas movie, the film does not deal entirely with Christmas as the plot. The film contrasts with other popular Christmas films, such as "Elf" or "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," because it is more mellow. The plot does not focus entirely on a Christmas-related event or story but instead just happens to occur around Christmas time. I think that this film is suitable for viewing both inside and outside of the Christmas season, as the plot can be separated from its holiday aspects.
I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys classic, heartwarming films. This movie is perfect for families with older children, as it is less stimulating and colorful than modern Christmas films. However, the plot is still interesting. It just requires viewers to keep their attention on the screen for an extended time. The running time is 130 minutes, so it is great for those who can hold their focus for a longer period. The movie ends happily, and it is suitable for children, as the end includes a moral. However, viewers should be mindful that the film includes brief depictions of violence and mild discussion of suicide. Overall, "It’s a Wonderful Life" is an excellent holiday movie for family viewing or for watching alone.
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Lorelei Young, sophomore majoring in English language arts education, is from Columbiana, Alabama. She has been with The Auburn Plainsman since the fall of 2025.
