Stream it now It's a Wonderful Life Reset Status Want to Watch Already Watched Don't Want to Watch

Self-explanatory.

This movie is completely cheesy and overly-sentimental, but I still liked it! I think I'm due a guilty pleasure, and I felt no shame enjoying this uplifting movie during the Christmas season. Truthfully, James Stewart is great in this movie, and the section of the film where he sees the world without him was very well done (reminded me of what I like so much about Back to the Future II, and of what I've seen of the television series Nowhere Man). I will say that though Stewart's character was obviously never completely happy with his work, when he snaps it still feels a bit forced. Anyway, I'm glad I finally saw this.

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
A-



If 'It's a Wonderful Life' were released today, it would surely be targeted for being overly cheesy and schmaltzy. And there really is no arguing with that. It is a movie rife with sentimentality and a sugary touch by the great Frank Capra. But if that's a crime, so be it. If this holiday classic doesn't pull at your heartstrings, I can't help but feel a little sorry for you. For if you let it, 'It's a Wonderful Life' will whisk you away on an unforgettable journey.

This perennial classic is often immortalized every year with an annual television special. It takes us through the life of George Bailey, from seemingly unimportant childhood events to a family man struggling in the midst of the Great Depression. It's a world where the universe is alive with angels watching over us, and each of us has their very own guardian angel. All of this will become of dire use to Bailey after his father's death leaves him in charge of a business he never intended to work for. A life full of dreams and aspirations have, quite suddenly, been extinguished.

It really is Jimmy Stewart's wonderful portrayal as Bailey that lifts this entire film. He is a respected man, a character we come to care deeply about. Bailey is compassionate, selfless, uncorrupt. But despite a beautiful wife and loving children, he is never completely satisfied with the life he's made for himself. 'It's a Wonderful Life' revolves around the historically tumultuous times of the Depression and World War II. During these troublesome years, Capra conveys the thought that it is our loved ones who remain the most important and stable part of our lives.

It runs a little long, but 'It's a Wonderful Life' builds to an ending that's as cheesy as it is powerful. When Bailey sees a world without him, and the true impact he had on the lives of others. These are touching scenes, not only for this season of giving, but it's a film we can embrace any time of the year. George Bailey was no exception to the rule, because as a certain angel tells Bailey during a highly emotional conclusion, "no man is a failure who has friends." This is a great film, one that has lived on through the years to represent a belief in hope and the power of one man's impact.

CAN I GET A SECOND OPINION?
"completely cheesy and overly-sentimental, but I still liked it"
- jewellrunner

It's A Wonderful Life is not just a Christmas movie... It's THE Christmas movie. Possible Jimmy Stewart's finest performance. One of the rare motion pictures that can be watched and experienced annually. A classic of classics with a lasting impact and legacy. The ultimate emotional, tear-jerking, feel-good film that proves that "no man is a failure, who has friends..."

#2 It's a Wonderful Life


Of course this is on the list! It's pretty much a given. Every Christmas Eve night NBC shows this Christmas classic and every Christmas Eve night I get sucked into the story once again. Yes, it's cheesy. Yes, it may be overly sentimental by today's standards. But those are some of the reasons why this movie is so loved all around the world. The story, which has been parodied and copied many times, revolves around George Bailey. Despite all his success, George decides to end his life one night but is stopped by an angel named Clarence. Clarence decides to show George just what the world would be like if he was never born. James Stewart plays George Bailey and nails it out of the park. He's the definition of a great leading man and seriously carries the film. All the other performances are wonderful and it just seems everyone was on the same page. The message of the film is appropriately summed up from this quote, "You see George, you've really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to just throw it away?" Everyone can relate to this because at some point in your life you are going to ask yourself why you are here and if you are worth anything. George Bailey represents every person who has ever given up hope, and the movie shows that there are many things in life worth living for.

It's a national disgrace that this film isn't shown all night on every channel on Christmas Eve anymore, and don't use capitalism as an excuse, because this film, more than any other, captures what the Holidays are supposed to be about, which isn't capitalism.

Horrible and weird. I don't why it's trotted out every year. It's a wonder this movie didn't destroy Jimmy Stewart's career.

Totally abusive to his wife (Donna Reed), explodes at his family; weird scenes including withholding a robe from his then girl friend who is having to hide behind bushes, throwing rocks through windows of an abandoned house, etc.

Very vexing and almost plays like a creepy horror film. You're on your own with this one.

A movie's movie.

This movie is perfect. Stewart's character is absolutely loveable and charming beyond all reason. You care for him and feel his pain every step of the way. And Capra's direction is impeccable. This is perhaps the only film I've ever seen that's as long as this one is that I am left wanting even *more* from it. Not because the movie didn't give enough, but, rather, because it gave so much, it made us miss it when it left, like a best friend or relative.
This movie is the sole definition of a feel-good movie. If anyone could ever come out of this film not feeling happier, they obviously were not paying close attention.
It's a holiday must-see, but it's also more than that. I think this movie purely embodies the nature of the good human spirit.
10/10

I see this film every Christmas, and it is a classic to be sure. The ending always makes me tear up a bit, and not many movies can do that!