It's a Wonderful Film!

Rating: 10/10 (22 November 2002)

This film is just an absolute joy to watch. I will not deny it, I shed a few tears at the end every time, something no other film has ever managed.
The acting is superb and the story, although dark and foreboding at times, is perfect. True, the Heaven scene effects at the beginning are lame, which is a real shame, but they certainly do not spoil the movie. Frank Capra has created a movie that tugs at all your emotions without even trying. One cannot help feeling anger when life doesn't happen the way George Bailey expects it to, or elation when life does. No-one else could have portrayed George Bailey quite like the late, great James Stewart - perfect casting. And, as for the rest of the characters, one couldn't want for anything more. Marvelous. Lionel Barrymore even manages to out-scrooge Scrooge (which is surely no mean feat!) as Mr Potter.
Overall, this is a film to watch over and over again. Full of mixed emotions throughout and beautifully heartwarming at the end. The Greatest Movie of All Time.
A true masterpiece sprinkled with magic.