There probably isn't a better example of Jimmy Stewart's acting anywhere else than in the timeless, classic Christmas movie It's a Wonderful Life. It's got something for everybody--romance, humor, serious themes, and a low rating (this was before ratings, but there's absolutely no objectionable material).

We follow George Bailey through his life, through thick and thin. With the opening titles, we find ourselves drawn to continue watching the movie--the first things that we hear are prayers soaring to Heaven for George from his family and friends. We see what is presumably God or some lesser angel in the shape of a star, who hears George's prayers and sends Clarence to earth to help George out.

Now, even though almost everybody knows this story back to front, I don't want to give the ending away. Suffice it to say that you get to hear tuneless singing, a random man wandering around going “Hee-haw!” like a donkey to everybody that he meets, a chubby angel who lacks his wings and orders rum punch at a bar, what is quite possibly the most romantic scene ever filmed, and a full dance room of people falling into a pool. What is there not to love? The critics seemed to think so, too, because It's a Wonderful Life won four Academy Awards.

When George is at the lowest point that he's ever hit, Clarence says, “Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?”

“Youth is wasted on the wrong people!” an elderly man says in frustration from his porch.

There's a serious point here: we, as Christians, cannot waste our lives. Yes, we're young, but does that really matter? Don't wait to grow up to try to “make a difference.” God's Spirit is in each and every one of us, and, let's face it, without Him, we're worse than nothing; we can't possibly make a positive impact without Christ. If we keep putting off our “doing” until we're better people, or until we're at the right time of our lives, then we're doomed to wait forever and to waste our entire lives. Even if it doesn't seem like you've ever had any positive influence on anyone, know that you have.

It's a Wonderful Life is undoubtedly one of the best movies that I've ever seen. I watch it every Christmas, and it never gets boring. This is one of the timeless classics that will last for centuries.

Print       E-mail      

Christmas in France Book Review - A Christmas Carol Book Review - The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Christmas Classic - Holiday Inn