George Bailey, I'll love you 'til the day I die.

IT’S DECEMBER FIIIRRRSSSSTTTT and that means we can officially discuss all things Christmas so let’s start with the most important thing (kinda): The Christmas Movie.

In my opinion, the best Christmas movie, in the whole entire world, is It’s a Wonderful Life for a multitude of reasons. I've already made a list of my favourites here but this is THE favourite. It’s a Wonderful Life is the classic feel-good movie and clearly, I’m not the only person that is of this opinion as Capra’s classic has been in and topped several “Best of...” lists throughout the years proving that the 1946 classic is a legitimately timeless movie that remains enduringly popular essential Christmas viewing and probably will for years to come.

It’s a Wonderful Life is an ageless movie that can be viewed an indefinite number of times and improve instead of breed resentment as a result of its familiarity. It’s timeless, like Casablanca. One of the most magical things about the whole movie is that it is set in black and white. Even though TV stations can pay to have the more expensive, newer colour version of the film the black and white remains the classic and provides us with the intrigue and expectation we've come expect from movies that have beaten the challenge of time.

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"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?"

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The story is based around poor George Bailey, a man who tries his hardest to do everything right but somehow everything manages to go wrong around him and he never quite makes it out of his original home town, Bedford Falls. His dream is to travel but responsibilities manage to keep him at home time after time. The evil Mr. Potter is the nemesis of the movie and throughout the movie he attempts to take George’s savings association off him and after a blunder by George’s absent minded uncle he nearly succeeds. George marries his high school sweetheart and settles down in a life he never thought he’d end up living. After his uncle’s blunder George turns suicidal and is visited by an angel named Clarence (one of the best things about this movie) who then goes on to show George just how awful things could have been if George hadn't existed and the positive effect he had on the people around him and Bedford Falls and the difference he’s made in the world. After a film full of mishaps and horrible things happening to poor kind hearted George Bailey when the happy ending does come it feels earned and genuinely Christmassy rather than over the top and unnecessary.

The romance between James Stewart and Donna Reed is one of the most appealing and heart-warming elements of this movie. From the first night at the high school hop where George woos Mary on the way home after they jitterbug into the pool all the way to them listening to Sam Wainwright talk about “the chance in a lifetime” the passion and desire is palpable. Mary’s dedication to George is obvious yet understated when George slumps into a depression and takes it out on her and the kids. Instead of retaliating, she rallies around him and gets others to do the same showing her never wavering dedication and that, my friends, is true love.

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"What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary."
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This film is the equivalent of a modern day (olden day) fairy-tale. George is our hero with Mr. Potter being the villain and Mary, our princess. The rags to riches story, monetary, mentally and emotionally, portray George as the underdog and we all love the underdog. The impression of our hero being the underdog also makes it relatable, it makes George and Mary seem human, susceptible to failure and thus, just like us maximising the love that can be cultivated for the film and the characters. George is poor, has not achieved many of his dreams and is unhappy in his job and yet, the effect he has on others is tremendous and Bedford Falls would not be the same without him. This is the everyday hero we all gravitate towards.

Clarence. Clarence is one of the best things about this movie. We all love an angel and Clarence Odbody is yet to earn his wings and is sent to earth to save Jimmy Stewart to earn his wings. He is a comforting presence in the film; even his voice is soothing and reassuring, thus reassuring the audience. Everyone likes to imagine they have a guardian angel looking down on them and Clarence embodies this.

The underlying feeling running through this feel good movie is hope. After watching this movie you’re reaffirmed in your belief that life has meaning. No matter how hard life gets and whatever twists and turns are thrown at you this movie makes you believe that there’s more and beyond this hardship things will get better. During the film’s most desperate moments there is still the underlying belief that despite your difficulties the good in all of us will and can prevail.

Capra’s amazing, life-enhancing film should definitely be shown every Christmas. It is simply heartwarming, cheesy and enjoyable. The king of not just Christmas movies but feel good movies around the globe.

xo

Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends.