It being the holiday season and all, I figured I'd share with you faithful few ---that follow along with me on this here blog-a-wog-wang-dang-doodle--- my thoughts and just LONG-time all around enjoyment, of one of my ALL-TIME favorite flicks!
That's right, the SHAMELESSLY sentimental, sometimes even a little CORNY, but in my mind STILL TIMELESS CLASSIC---'It's a Wonderful Life'!
I just recently re-watched it again, after not having seen it for a few years. Yes, I do INDEED have it on DVD--- a VERY nifty edition, that includes a couple of neat (if a little too brief!) documentaries. It's one of those classic movies, that--- as you get older--- you appreciate even MORE things about it.
Things that, as a younger Loydster, I didn't really pay much attention to---- now end up touching me oh-SO-deeply.Much like the character of George Bailey, I too was something of a 'frustrated dreamer'--- for a GOOD CHUNK of my earlier life. I overlooked a LOT of the so-called 'little things' in my life. The 'day-to-day', sometimes seemingly 'hum-drum' stuff... that, if like in the case with George--- those things were to be suddenly 'wiped-away', boy... how WRETCHED and MISERABLE I would've been!
So, as a 'now-middle-aged' Loydster, I have an appreciation for those aspects of it's plot and it's 'message'. Yes, if ever there was a 'message movie', '... Wonderful Life' definately IS one!
It wears it PROUDLY, LOUDLY and right out there, shamelessly out in front! 'Be AWARE of ALL of life's blessings, BOTH large and small,' and----(in the words of director Frank Capra himself!) 'EVERY man has a purpose in life, a reason that he's here'. Whether it's to do something 'great', or just something as 'simple' as helping out his fellow travelers in this all-TOO-brief trip that we call life! We're ALL here for a reason!
Perhaps the MAIN reason this movie works as well as it does, in my opinion--- is the unforgettable performance in the lead role, by one of the ALL-TIME great, but sometimes underappreciated--actors!----
Mister Jimmy Stewart, of COURSE! I can't really imagine ANYONE else as George Bailey! From what I've read about the movie over the years (as well as what's mentioned on the DVD special-features!), there were other actors considered--- including Cary Grant & Henry Fonda! But Jimmy Stewart makes you CARE, empathize, and yes (if your'e as HOPELESSLY sentimental as the 'ol Loydster anyway!), even CRY, along with George--- as he learns just HOW special, precious, and BLESSED his life has REALLY been.
The other aspect of this movie, especially as I watched it this most recent time, is how I could oh-SO-relate, to the feeling of being 'backed into a corner', and helpless! That's what the character George feels, at the 'moment of crisis' he experiences in this film! Nowhere to turn, seemingly NO way out. BIG trouble's coming, and you have NO choice, but to plow right into it! Like a 'head-on' car wreck is about to happen to you, and you have NO power to stop it! Man-oh-man! I can relate to THAT feeling!
Again, it's Jimmy Stewart's performance that makes those moments SO powerful in the movie! I really think NO other actor could've done it as well as Jimmy managed to do it!
Of course, the movie's FILLED with all kinds of GREAT supporting actors, that also help make it the classic flick that it is! Who can forget Thomas Mitchell, as Uncle Billy--- who's SO scatter-brained & forgetful, he constantly has to tie strings to his fingers to remember stuff!
Donna Reed, as George's wife, Mary--- she manages to portray Mary as a REAL woman, who loves her hubby, but sometimes feels a little flustered at him! Other actresses might've tried to make Mary almost like a 'saint' or too 'goody-goody'! Miss Reed doesn't do that. She makes Mary seem real.
If you haven't watched this movie in a while, or GOD FORBID--- you've NEVER seen it-- here's the trailer, for a recently released 'hi-def' version of it! Believe me, it's JUST as good, even in old-fashioned 'standard definition'! Hopefully, it'll inspire you to find a copy for yourself, pop up a BIG bowl of pop-corn, and watch one of the TRUE all-time CLASSICS!----
I myself, am going to try to NOT make it such a LONG-stretch between viewings of this, one of my ALL-TIME favorite movies. This time of year, and especially with ALL that's going on in this CRAZY world, we could ALL use a reminder that our lives are STILL---even with all the heartaches and headaches--pretty darn 'Wonderful'!
Happy Holidays, and God Bless, gang!
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