It's a Wonderful Life (1946) is one of my favorite films. It stars James Stewart and Donna Reed with an incredible supporting cast of Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Beulah Bondi, and Gloria Graham.
The films begins with a few angels recalling the life of one simple man named George Bailey. They review his life and all those who he helped along the way. Then on Christmas Eve because of unforeseen financial circumstances, George Bailey decides to commit suicide by jumping over a bridge. Before he is able to jump, another man jumps and falls into the cold winter water. George immediately jumps in after him and saves his life. We then find out his name is Clarence Odbody who is played by the wonderful Henry Travers.
What George doesn't realize at first is that Clarence is George's guardian angel. In order for Clarence to get his wings up in heaven, he must help George realize his own worth. Each step they take together leads George into understanding that what he really had was truly a wonderful life.
"It's a Wonderful Life" Trailer-also starring Donna Reed
75 years later It's a Wonderful Life is still teaching us lessons about friendship, family, and the value life has in this world. This film teaches us to keep our dreams alive even if we are never meant to make them come true. It teaches us to have faith in ourselves and in the people we love and admire. It also teaches us to get to the good parts of life sometimes we may have to endure the bad and the ugly parts as well.
I really do cherish this film. I cherish the gift that director Frank Capra gave to us. A film with a positive message, uplifting message. A film that in my eyes does not age--not at all--because the message is ageless. Love and Faith....two precious treasures that we can give to others and that others can give to us. But most importantly, they are two gifts we can also give to ourselves.
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