Tuesday
25Apr2006
A Wonderful Film
Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 3:46PM
My favourite film is Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). It’s a film of such overwhelming sentiment and beauty, yet it addresses universal questions about the nature of man.
I’m not even a particular fan of Jimmy Stewart (who plays main protagonist, George Bailey), although this must, alongside the astonishing Donna Reed, be his seminal performance. From the opening scene with Clarence the Angel (a deliberately bumbling performance by Henry Travers), to the closing finale, it’s a film that is both affecting and wise.
But why is it my favourite film?
It’s a Wonderful Life certainly doesn’t conform to my usual cinematic choices, which are usually defined by grit and realism. My favourite genres are crime, history, and spy-thrillers. I also have a healthy approach to foreign language cinema, and would put the light-hearted German drama Goodbye Lenin, and Russian crime film Brat (Brother), in my top ten.
One movie that reminds me of Capra’s masterpiece, is Giuseppe Tornatore’s 1989 film, Cinema Paradiso, whose main character, Salvatore, shares George Bailey’s romantic idealism and sense of adventure. While Salvatore’s dreams are manifested in an obsession with cinema, Bailey dreams of travelling the world and living his own adventures. Both films are at the same time, optimistic and heartbreaking, with joy and tragedy in equal measure. And yet, ultimately, the stories have one significant difference; Salvatore leaves his pious village and becomes a successful director, fulfilling his dreams - even if he never seems truly happy; but George is a victim of circumstance and responsibility, unable - at least to himself - to realise his potential, or sate his desire to travel. Both are sad, but certainly redeemable, characters,
I guess I love It’s a Wonderful Life, because deep down I harbour a desire to travel, and write about, the world. While I don’t share Bailey’s depression, or his nihilism, I understand the realities of responsibility. I have a family who is dependent on my labour, and I cannot - and wouldn’t want to - dislocate myself from this duty. I will never take the risk of grabbing my toothbrush and passport, and travelling the world indefinitely. It’s a Wonderful Life addresses this universal hunger for adventure, and through the suicidal Bailey, and the helpful Angel, Clarence, asks you to look at the life you do have, the people who you love, and who love you, and beseeches that you value this life, and do not take it for granted.
Good advice? No, it's wonderful advice.
I’m not even a particular fan of Jimmy Stewart (who plays main protagonist, George Bailey), although this must, alongside the astonishing Donna Reed, be his seminal performance. From the opening scene with Clarence the Angel (a deliberately bumbling performance by Henry Travers), to the closing finale, it’s a film that is both affecting and wise.
But why is it my favourite film?
It’s a Wonderful Life certainly doesn’t conform to my usual cinematic choices, which are usually defined by grit and realism. My favourite genres are crime, history, and spy-thrillers. I also have a healthy approach to foreign language cinema, and would put the light-hearted German drama Goodbye Lenin, and Russian crime film Brat (Brother), in my top ten.
One movie that reminds me of Capra’s masterpiece, is Giuseppe Tornatore’s 1989 film, Cinema Paradiso, whose main character, Salvatore, shares George Bailey’s romantic idealism and sense of adventure. While Salvatore’s dreams are manifested in an obsession with cinema, Bailey dreams of travelling the world and living his own adventures. Both films are at the same time, optimistic and heartbreaking, with joy and tragedy in equal measure. And yet, ultimately, the stories have one significant difference; Salvatore leaves his pious village and becomes a successful director, fulfilling his dreams - even if he never seems truly happy; but George is a victim of circumstance and responsibility, unable - at least to himself - to realise his potential, or sate his desire to travel. Both are sad, but certainly redeemable, characters,
I guess I love It’s a Wonderful Life, because deep down I harbour a desire to travel, and write about, the world. While I don’t share Bailey’s depression, or his nihilism, I understand the realities of responsibility. I have a family who is dependent on my labour, and I cannot - and wouldn’t want to - dislocate myself from this duty. I will never take the risk of grabbing my toothbrush and passport, and travelling the world indefinitely. It’s a Wonderful Life addresses this universal hunger for adventure, and through the suicidal Bailey, and the helpful Angel, Clarence, asks you to look at the life you do have, the people who you love, and who love you, and beseeches that you value this life, and do not take it for granted.
Good advice? No, it's wonderful advice.
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