The film premiered just before Christmas in 1946, shortly after World War II. Despite nearly 70 years since its release, it continues to be cherished by an increasing number of viewers, resonating repeatedly in international cinema. Even the former US President, Harry Truman, couldn't help but reflect after watching it, saying, "If Bess and I had a son, we would want him to be like James Stewart." That film is "It's a Wonderful Life". The movie was ranked first in the American Film Institute's list of "100 Most Inspirational Movies" and was designated for preservation by the National Film Registry. In 2002, Channel 4 even rated it as one of the greatest films in history.
The film narrates the story of George Bailey, the protagonist, who loses hope on Christmas Eve and is prepared to take his own life, only to be saved by an angel, thereby regaining his confidence in life. Presented in a whimsical comedy format, the movie exudes a light-hearted style. Amidst heartwarming, healing, and fulfilling tears, it provides profound revelations.
Regarding this film, many have interpreted it solely as an inspirational portrayal of George Bailey's life journey. However, today, I aim to explore the themes of self-redemption in this film through the dimensions of character development, supporting characters' roles, and the presentation style of the film's themes. In the third section of this article, I will combine these elements to analyze the charm of this film, recognized by multiple countries as a "must-watch classic film of the century."

Characterizing George Bailey in the Film: Contrasting Realism and Idealism
Establishing the main character in a film forms the core of its creation and determines the trajectory of the entire movie. Although the plot design of "It's a Wonderful Life" might seem somewhat clichéd, it remains a classic even after nearly 70 years. Its allure doesn't merely reside in the film's story but also in the choice and portrayal of the protagonist's character.
The narrative utilizes reverse linear storytelling combined with the "Mirror Stage," outlining the journey of the protagonist, George Bailey, who shifts from idealism to being compelled back into the reality of everyday life, eventually becoming an ordinary man. The "Mirror Stage," proposed by Jacques Lacan in 1936 and widely employed in interpreting film and television works, represents the audience's self-reflection through visual imagery, allowing a more precise understanding and affirmation of oneself. "It's a Wonderful Life" employs the reverse linear storytelling technique and the "Mirror Stage," unfolding the life of George Bailey.
On a heartwarming Christmas Eve, the townspeople pray for a man named George Bailey, moving God, who dispatches a trainee angel to rescue him. To save him, the angel must first understand George's life: as a boy, George becomes deaf in one ear while trying to keep his brother from falling into an icy pond; as a young man, he dreams of leaving his hometown to explore the world, aspiring to become a millionaire, travel the world, and do what he desires. However, after his father's demise, he must take over his father's company, becoming an ordinary man among the masses. George Bailey lives a life of kindness, honesty, and warmth. To fulfill his father's wishes and due to life's demands, George is forced to bow to reality, sacrificing his freedom and silently shouldering life's burdens. Like a mirror, the film also reflects each person's real-life struggles.

George Bailey embodies the shadows of each one of us. In our youth, who among us did not desire the gallant knight's attire, daring exploits, and freedom? Yet, the responsibilities and burdens of reality force us to relinquish our youthful ideals, ambitions, and liberty to toil for survival. Unknowingly, we become the ordinary individuals that our younger selves would scorn, leading mundane lives while still yearning for the life of poetry and distant lands. However, believing oneself to be the savior of a small town while unable to save one's own life, George Bailey fights with life on one side, sinking deeper into the quagmire, maintaining a façade. In contrast, life behind the scenes is a mess.
After taking over his father's company, George Bailey dedicates himself to seeking welfare for the townspeople, helping them achieve their dream homes. Despite his efforts, he and his new wife live in an abandoned, dilapidated old house, facing winter snow and summer rain. George works diligently and conscientiously to manage his father's company but never becomes a local tycoon. He uses his money to help needy friends, frequently engages in intellectual battles with the town's bigwig, Mr. Potter, and lives impoverished. His company is on the verge of bankruptcy, and he and his wife, Mary, never leave this small town. Even so, he never gives up his enthusiasm for life.
George Bailey's characterization, placed in real-life circumstances, is hardly considered successful, let alone positioning him as the goal of life's struggle within the film. Nevertheless, within the film, these apparent contradictions, to some extent, reflect real life. No one aspires to become George Bailey, yet we ultimately become him.

Characterization of Supporting Roles in the Film: Insights into Self-Redemption in American Inspirational Films
Suppose the protagonist's characterization in a film serves the primary purpose of the work. In that case, the portrayal of supporting characters can better complement and enhance the protagonist, propelling the plot forward. Most supporting characters in film and television often represent specific value systems, indirectly reinforcing the theme of the movie or show. In "It's a Wonderful Life," there are many supporting characters. Next, I'll analyze the three most important supporting roles:
【Supporting Role #1】 Encountering love, George Bailey is reborn, shouldering new responsibilities while remaining a harmless good man. Marriage becomes George Bailey's second rebirth. His wife Mary chose to marry him during George Bailey's lowest point when hope was fading away. After marriage, she became George Bailey's most vital support. When George Bailey's company faced an economic crisis, Mary used the money saved for their honeymoon to help him overcome the hardship. When they had no house after marriage, she turned the dilapidated old house they promised each other into a cozy home.
Mary always managed to resolve crises for George Bailey positively and optimistically silently. When George Bailey's uncle almost ruins the company by losing its finances, causing George to face disgrace, Mary doesn't utter a word. Instead, she had the children pray while she tirelessly sought help on Christmas Eve, assisting her husband through the difficult times. Because of Mary, George Bailey's life had more hope to continue.
Mary's presence resembles relatives who stand by you during difficult times. They may not have strong shoulders to bear all the burdens for you, but their kindness and warmth instill in you the courage to keep moving forward. Love brought about the redemption of George Bailey and Mary.
【Supporting Role #2】Mr. Potter, the antagonist in this film, symbolizes the weakness and struggle within human nature amidst the battle between light and darkness, justice and wrongdoing, and goodwill and malevolence. He is portrayed as a miserly and malevolent banker. Throughout the movie, the contrast between George Bailey and Mr. Potter persists. However, George, pictured in a higher position on the screen, sits lower than Mr. Potter when Potter attempts to buy him out.
When you stumble, the first-hand reaching out to help might not necessarily be genuine redemption; it could be a deeper pitfall. When George Bailey's company faces dire straits, Mr. Potter once again presents tempting conditions to buy George Bailey's company. Upon hearing he can get everything he wants without effort, George Bailey is shaken. However, upon realizing the sacrifice it would demand from the townsfolk, he decisively rejects Potter's offer, thwarting Potter's ambitions to control the town entirely.

Mr. Potter's existence represents the corruption and greed within human nature. It's through such an antagonist that the significance of the protagonist's self-redemption is highlighted. Ideals, difficulties, fame, money, temptations - one must endure multiple trials to become a true hero in life.
【Supporting Role #3】The road to self-redemption may not necessarily be about becoming the best version of yourself but facing life's hardships with a positive outlook. When one thinks of angels, thoughts of beauty, light, and purity come to mind. However, in this film, the director subverts this archetype by portraying the angel as a disheveled older man, Clarence, who lacks wings.
When George Bailey's uncle misplaces the bank's funds, leaving him in dire straits, George turns to banker Mr. Potter for help. Potter, in turn, lands him in trouble with the police. George finds himself in an abyss. On Christmas Eve, with misfortunes piling up, George's self-worth collapses. He attempts to use his life insurance to remedy his perceived failures. Just as he's about to commit suicide, his guardian angel appears. Clarence grants George's wish to erase himself from existence, allowing him to experience what the town would be like without George Bailey. It feels like a nightmare to George.
Filled with regret upon realizing his value to everyone, George pleads with the angel to restore everything. This time, George is reborn. He runs through the streets, joyfully greeting everyone, including his adversary, Mr. Potter. He expresses immense gratitude for being alive, leading to a happy ending.
The angel's appearance doesn't directly solve George's problems but helps him see another side of life. George's salvation also validates the angel's purpose. This unconventional depiction of an angel metaphorically reflects the duality of real-life experiences - what may seem ugly or broken on the surface might harbor kindness within. One's perspective on things determines one's happiness and sense of worth. Lives experienced with positive and negative views yield vastly different outcomes. Choosing the lens through which to live dictates one's quality of life.

Presentation Techniques Highlighting Main Themes
Through its audio-visual amalgamation, the film conveys the philosophical musings underlying the narrative. Yet, comprehending a film's value solely from its visual aspects might overlook its valuable content. For those of us who have yet to study film analysis formally, how can we avoid missing the essence of a movie?
Drawing from my years of watching films and understanding character developments, character interactions, and the presentation of thematic music, we can delve deeper into the movie's profound content.
【Protagonist's Character and Transformative Journey Embodies Philosophical Depth】
George Bailey's tumultuous life, defined by setbacks and hardships, reveals a genuine ideological core. He remains optimistically resilient throughout, evolving from a desire to escape reality to a complete defeat by fact. Eventually, with the angel's assistance, he comprehends his life's value despite its brokenness. This awakening reflects the fundamental values director Frank Capra aimed to impart.
Capra, known as "Hollywood's Greatest Italian," exudes optimism and positivity in his works, steadfast in his ideals and moral principles. Capra, hailing from Sicily, became one of the most successful directors of classic Hollywood and was a leading figure in pre-war Hollywood. His films often centered around self-worth and personal values.
Through "It's a Wonderful Life," Capra sought to rekindle public contemplation of life's value amidst the societal rift between reality and ideals. Due to the era's specific circumstances, the movie gained little recognition initially. Only decades later did it re-emerge, becoming a timeless classic.
In "It's a Wonderful Life," I see Capra's celebration of genuine kindness, idealism, and responsibility, asserting that establishing one's self-worth doesn't require external definitions. Capra once mentioned that among all his representative works, "It's a Wonderful Life" remained his favorite, indicating the depth of his emotional investment.

【Leveraging Image Contrast to Reinforce Self-Redemption's Value and Significance】
George Bailey's positivity, kindness, and integrity starkly contrast Mr. Potter's greed, selfishness, and arrogance. George dedicates his life to the welfare of the townsfolk, while Mr. Potter exhausts his efforts, monopolizing the town's economy and exploiting its residents. George exudes charm, stature, and wit, while Mr. Potter spends his life in a wheelchair, scheming to extract more benefits from others.
It's precisely this stark contrast in character that prompts reflection on life and imparts enlightening thoughts. We witness life's essence through the battle between good and evil and the conflict between contradictions. Life's essence is an unsolvable problem - no matter how you calculate it, you can't find answers to all its questions. The mission of living isn't to solve unsolvable problems but to confront oneself and learn to coexist with the unsolvable. In moments when life presses you to the brink, immobilizes you, or even makes you lose faith, watch this film. It will heal you in its warm embrace, reassuring you that life isn't about binary choices. Acknowledging our limitations while believing that our existence can illuminate a corner defines the purpose of being human. "It's a Wonderful Life" isn't just an inspirational movie; it's an indispensable spiritual healing manual in one's life. Every movie's release is a heartfelt presentation by directors, writers, and others because it carries a mission to transmit specific values. "It's a Wonderful Life" deserves a place in everyone's heart.

【Presentation of Joyful Christmas Music: Evoking Strong Contrasts to Enhance Film Themes and Convey Emotions】
This uplifting Christmas drama has moved and inspired countless individuals (including renowned French director François Truffaut). It's a film that perfectly captures the joyful atmosphere of Christmas, touching the heart and offering much food for thought.
Christmas Eve, a time meant for togetherness and joy, finds George Bailey undergoing a test of life and death, grappling with thoughts of suicide and remorse, and experiencing utter despair followed by immense gratitude, all within a single night. Emerging from this abyss, George Bailey is accompanied by the comforting melodies of Christmas music. One moment, he battles the cold winter night, torn between life and death. Yet, instantly realizing the purpose of his existence, he treasures life immensely. This rebirth brings tears to viewers' eyes, moving them deeply.
The overarching theme of Christmas signifies a complete rebirth. After facing conflicts and struggles, George Bailey embraces the world positively. In the grand scheme of life and death, the previous dilemmas pale in comparison. This resonates with some individuals in real life. Perhaps they once dreamed of exploring the world in their youth, only to be confined by the harsh reality of daily life. They might still face adversity, crushed by life's pressures, yet possess the ability to face challenges with a smile. The chasm between ideals and reality might seem bottomless, even robbing us of our zeal and hope with just a glance. However, the true joy of living isn't measured by how many ideals one achieves but by how much one comprehends and accommodates.
"It's a Wonderful Life," presented in a comedic fashion, illuminates the harsh realities of life. We exist not merely to solve problems but to understand and tackle our challenges, learning to navigate through 60% of life's difficulties gracefully. Turn to this movie when life presses you to the point of suffocation, leaving you crestfallen or devoid of hope. It will warmly heal you, reminding you that life isn't a binary choice between black and white. Acknowledging our limitations and believing that our existence can brighten a corner embodies the essence of being human. "It's a Wonderful Life" isn't just an inspirational movie but an indispensable handbook for healing one's soul. Every movie's release is a heartfelt presentation by directors, writers, and others because it carries a mission of value transmission. "It's a Wonderful Life" deserves a special place in everyone's collection.
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