'It's a Wonderful Life': The Real Christmas Classic Over 'Love Actually'

Directed by Frank Capra, 'It's a Wonderful Life' debuted on December 20, 1946. Despite its initial lukewarm box office performance, costing $3.7 million with an early gross of just $3.3 million, it gradually picked up momentum, receiving five nominations at the 4th Golden Globe Awards and claiming the Best Director award at the 19th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Editing, and Best Sound. In June 2006, the American Film Institute proclaimed it as the top film in the '100 Most Inspiring Films of All Time,' also ranking atop the 'Most Influential Films in History' list by the same institution.

Director Frank Capra embodies the American Dream, known for infusing his films with optimism and positivity. He stands out as one of the most famous directors from Hollywood's golden era, winning three Oscars in five years—a record few directors have surpassed. Capra declared 'It's a Wonderful Life' his favorite among all his works.

The plot of 'It's a Wonderful Life' may seem straightforward by today's standards, bordering on the somewhat fantastical or even clichéd. It follows the life of protagonist George Bailey, a genuinely good-hearted man. For the happiness of his brother and the town's residents to have homes of their own, he sacrifices his dream of exploring the world beyond their small town. A mistake by his uncle jeopardizes his savings and loan company, leading him to contemplate suicide. Yet, with the town's prayers, an angel guides him out of despair. Despite the seemingly clichéd plot, this movie remains unforgettable after 77 years, continuing to be a favorite among many during Christmas.

What makes this film, which doesn't revolve around a heroic figure saving a nation or a champion enduring hardships and standing triumphantly on a podium and exhibiting a somewhat clichéd storyline, stay etched in fans' memory after 77 years and become Capra's favorite? In this piece, I'll analyze four aspects: essential factors in life-inspiring narratives, the symbolic representation of angels in the film, the application of the butterfly effect, the film's details, and a touch of personal reflection on life.

The Four Factors that Contribute to George Bailey's Inspiring Persona: A Symphony of Virtues

His Effort and Kindness: Throughout the film, George Bailey embodies honesty and kindness, the reasons why the town's residents and audiences adore him. This integrity and service are woven into every detail of the film:

He was saving his brother from drowning at the age of nine, which resulted in him losing hearing in one ear. He was working at a drugstore when the owner, devastated by the loss of his son, accidentally prepared poison instead of medicine. Even when wrongly accused, George rectifies the mistake, saving the store owner and the family. Dreaming of exploring the world beyond the town, sacrificing his ambitions to save his father's company, he relinquishes his chance for college to his brother. When his brother returns after four years, ready to work at his father-in-law's firm, George stays in the town, forever giving up his chance to explore the world.

These seemingly ordinary actions portray a deep sense of truth and greatness. George, a commoner in town, never saved a nation or became a champion, but his actions carry profound life lessons. How many can sacrifice themselves in such myriad ways, sacrificing in little things, fulfilling others', and sometimes their lifelong dreams and hopes?

In his various choices, George faced pain and conflict but always sacrificed his interests for others' fulfillment. That's where his greatness lies. Because he fulfilled others, others fulfilled him. This is why the town's jubilation scene resonates profoundly, leaving one deeply moved with tears.

The Spousal Love That Empowers Him: In the film, George is fortunate to have an admirable wife—a beautiful, loyal, understanding partner willing to endure hardships without complaint. Such a perfect companion is what many aspire to have. Even on their wedding night, when preparing for their honeymoon, she unhesitatingly hands over the money to save the company during a financial crisis.

Mary arranges a candlelit dinner in a rundown, leaky house, patiently awaiting George's return. This becomes their new home and wedding night, evoking warmth tinged with sadness. George provides housing loans to the townspeople so they can have new homes. He could only offer a dilapidated, leaky house as their new home for his beloved. Mary's perfect support enables George to stay committed to his ideals and principles.

Family Values and Warmth as the Root of George's Uprightness: The Bailey family atmosphere is undoubtedly harmonious and warm. When George wanted to attend college, his father wholeheartedly supported him. At work, his uncle cooperates with him wholeheartedly, without any familial power struggles seen in melodramas. His mother encourages and helps him bravely pursue his true love. This kind of family can nurture a child as morally upright as George, becoming the cornerstone of all his later choices.

Friends' Support as the Key to Weathering Difficulties: George's dedication naturally garners the townsfolk's affection. The taxi driver, the bar owner, and the town's policeman all adore George and become his friends. Hence, when the company faces a crisis, the panicked townsfolk, believing in George, significantly reduce their withdrawals.
When George's uncle misplaces $8,000, facing closure and even imprisonment, the townsfolk, in a touching scene, pool together the crucial $8,000. This moment in the movie stirs intense emotions.

George can captivate audiences for 77 years because he embodies what many lack and need—a positive force. It's this power that influences his friends, creating his success. George is unfortunate as he lost the opportunity to achieve his aspirations. Yet, he's fortunate to have the love of family, friends, and his beloved—a wealth beyond measure. Hence, his brother's concluding statement, 'To my brother George, the richest man in town,' indeed, isn't possessing all this the epitome of wealth?"

We Are Our Angels

The film opens from God's perspective, introducing the first half of George's life to a second-class angel, Clarence, in a whimsical and delightful tone. I found the exchanges between these three divine beings quite enjoyable, anticipating the appearance of this angel. However, Clarence only surfaces in the movie's last half-hour, and his appearance surprised me. Despite knowing he currently lacks wings and needs to complete his task of saving George before earning them, I saw a sorry older man who jumped into the river, needing George's rescue.

Rather than being disappointing, this contrast made me immediately fond of this real-world portrayal of an angel. He seemed like the friendly neighbor next door. His guidance didn't involve using divine powers to conjure money or directly solve George's problems but rather made George realize how dreadful the world would be without him.

This angel is embodied as an old man in the film, but besides him, aren't the other 'angels' constantly accompanying George in his life? His parents were his guardians during his growth; his wife Mary never abandoned him during his trials, even seeking aid from the townsfolk to gather the $8,000 to help George. She is another guardian angel to him. The friends' invaluable assistance during crucial times also acted as his angels. Even without wings and not in the heavens, these' angels silently stood by him.

Clarence, the angel, didn't use divine power to aid George but merely showed him what the world would be like without him. This revelation gave George a newfound understanding, filling him with gratitude and renewed confidence. For George, back in reality, nothing had changed; the hardships persisted, the $8,000 was still missing, and the threat of bankruptcy and arrest loomed. Yet, from within, George found genuine confidence in life, no longer sad or contemplating giving up life but filled with renewed vigor, ready to confront all challenges. This, indeed, is the true essence of inspiration. His transformation stemmed from within, not from Clarence coercing or using divine power to change him. It was a self-realization, and this intrinsic force is the most powerful.

Triggering Effects from Kindness and Reaping the Good

The changes seen when George doesn't exist in this world—his wife remained unmarried, the pharmacist served 20 years for poisoning, and his brother died at 9, unable to save a ship of people—reminded me of the Butterfly Effect.

Kindness is contagious. George's warmth and kindness catalyzed the townsfolk, filling the town with harmony and laughter. In the world without him, bars and nightclubs replaced the heat, and people turned cold and self-indulgent. Though George might seem insignificant as an individual, he changed the whole town, indirectly impacting the world—this is the Butterfly Effect's result.

George eventually received help from family, his wife, and friends. Yet, isn't it that he helped them first? Life is fascinating; everyone's life influences others to varying degrees, for better or worse. If each of us radiates goodwill, these small gestures could improve the world. Don't let goodness be too small to act upon, and don't let evil be too minor to disregard. This is the profound message this film left me with—apart from facing challenges bravely; we should also learn to emit kindness. Even in the most minor actions, we might unwittingly change the world.

Film Production Details and a Bit of Self-Reflection on Life

This film used 350,000 feet of film stock in shooting. The set took two months to build, becoming one of the largest in American film history, sprawling over 4 acres, including 75 stores and buildings, a 300-yard-long main street, factory areas, residential quarters, and slums, striving to recreate the film's setting authentically.

James Stewart, portraying George, mesmerized audiences with his exceptional performance. In Premiere Magazine's 2006 list of the '100 Greatest Performances in Film History,' Stewart's portrayal of George ranked eighth. In 2004, the BBC listed this movie as the second-best film ever to have received an Oscar.

Due to technological constraints, the snow in the movie was made from cornflakes painted white. However, this artificial snow caused sound interference, requiring post-production dubbing for dialogues in the snowy scenes. To address this, the director and crew experimented with a mix of foaming, soap, and water, using high-pressure blowers to create snowflakes gently falling in silence, earning the film's effects department a special award for this innovative solution.

George Bailey wasn't exceptionally bright or a famous figure; he was just like us in everyday life. He faced various struggles and dilemmas and even contemplated ending his own life. Yet, his eventual awakening touched me, moving every viewer because it reflects our awakening. Life might seem filled with difficulties and hopelessness, yet it's teeming with hope and 'wealth' everywhere—we need to learn to see it. This is what 'It's a Wonderful Life' teaches us and why, after 77 years, it's still a beloved inspirational film. Even a hundred years from now, many will still love it because George Bailey represents each of us—we, too, can be emotional.

Therefore, this film is the top choice for Christmas viewing rather than 'Love Actually.' 'It's a Wonderful Life,' although the name might not seem extraordinary, leaves you profoundly moved because it made me feel that no matter how small each person is, they can shine brightly. Even this seemingly insignificant light might gradually change the entire world. When facing difficulties, take a moment to look around and realize the abundant 'wealth' of friendship, love, and family surrounding you. With that, what fear is there in facing hardships?"