It's a Wonderful Life

Rating: 10/10 (8 April 2020)

I'll cry twenty times but warm with laughter and glee double that number in the 2+ hours that make up director Frank Capra's joyous tale of heaven, humanity and hope.
A secular man (Stewart) who is all things to all people in his little part of the world is visited by a major misfortune, leading him to what he thinks is the end of his tether. But a rare prayer is answered by an under-achieving angel (Travers) who grants his wish in that he never be born, giving him the "gift" as witness to the void a good man's absence will leave in the lives of the people he knew and loved.
Though merry for much of its length and seen today as the ultimate classic holiday film favorite, it does have its frightening frames (the misfortune involves a criminal mislay of money and ensuing panic), aided by noir-like camera (Walker & Biroc) and Dimitri Tiomkin's terrific score, all making this vintage TV fan feel certain that Rod Serling of The-Twilight-Zone fame must've enjoyed this film, too.
The supporting cast have become character standards: Donna Reed (Mary) is the dream wife, pretty, intuitive and supportive when the chips are down; Bond & Faylen as cop and cabbie Bert & Ernie, most loyal of friends; Bondi & Hinds are the wisest of Moms and Pops; Gloria Grahame (Violet) as the Town flapper who's too hot to handle but too vivacious to turn away, and the great Lionel Barrymore is the ultimate antagonist in Mr. Potter, as miserly as Dickens' Mr. Scrooge but alot more fun to watch.
If you don't likes B&W films, don't engage this one. It's very black & white. But if you love movies, art in all color combos and require that sentiment be a part of your life, this one's for you (4/4) (4.7.20).