Masterclass in Movie-making

Rating: 10/10 (23 December 2005)

The first time I am aware of seeing IAWL I managed to catch the last 5 Min's of the movie. It seemed to feature a character running around shouting 'Merry Christmas' at everybody, followed by a party where everyone handed over money To be frank, I wasn't in a hurry to see the rest of the movie.
Then several years later, I started to watch IAWL from the beginning, unaware that it was the same movie. I was struck by how comprehensive the character study of George Bailey was. He was a good man, but his ambitions were frustrated at every turn. He wanted an Education, that was just outside his grasp. He wanted to travel, life conspired against him. At every step of the way, one person saw George 'rolling with the blows', that was Mary Hatch. This woman loved George and wanted to stand at his side, so they can face the slings and arrows of misfortune together. This is love of the purest kind.
But even Mary's love cannot prevent George contemplating suicide. A single bad day that sees George on the top of the World at the beginning and thinking that taking his own life is the only way out by 10.45 pm.
I was stunned when the ending turned into the movie I had seen some time before. But this time I understood, this wasn't just sentiment for it's own sake. To understand the ending you need to have gone on the same dark journey that George Bailey had been on.
Many others have commented on the feel good aspects of the movie, so I won't. What I would like to say is that there are a number of scenes which live in the memory long after the end credits.
Young George trying to persuade Mr Gower that he had prescribed poison (with young Mary Hatch Looking on).
George hurrying home when he heard his father had had a stroke (with Mary Hatch looking on).
George waiting at the station with Uncle Billy for Harry to come back from college (only to find Harry is already married and has a job that will keep him away from Bedford Falls).
That kiss (I have to check that I am earthed, there is so much electricity in the air).
Mary giving up their honeymoon money, to keep the Building and Loan out of Potters grasp.
The Bridal Suit (with Ernie & Bert).
Trying to talk to Mary in the alternate reality, but managing frighten her.
The Ending.
I don't think I have seen a better character study, or for that matter a better movie.