Regie:
Frank CapraMuziek:
Dimitri TiomkinActeurs:
James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Beulah Bondi, Frank Faylen, Ward Bond, Gloria Grahame, H.B. Warner (meer)Streaming (2)
Samenvattingen(1)
George Bailey (James Stewart) is de brave borst die een noodlijdende bank in small town USA overeind probeert te houden, maar door ongelukkige machinaties van zijn zakenpartner de financiële ondergang tegemoet ziet. Terwijl iedereen om hem heen zich opmaakt voor een happy & wonderful Xmas staat Bailey op het punt de hand aan zichzelf te slaan. Slechts de tussenkomst van de naar de aarde afgedaalde beschermengel Clarence (Henry Travers) kan het ergste verhinderen. Hij laat zien hoe het leven eruit zou hebben gezien zonder Bailey”s menslievende aanwezigheid. En dan ziet ook de zelfmoordenaar dat het tóch een wonderful life is, en jubelt hij inwendig: Vrede op aarde en in de mensen een welbehagen! (EYE Film)
(meer)Recensie (2)
This film is not without flaws. In the second half, the complications of the main character become overly stretched, and the final walk with the angel is incredibly irritating in that George, even after the x-th clear demonstration of his hypothetical nonexistence, cannot understand which one matters. But that is not what Capra's Christmas family celebration of life is about. It's not about the details, it's not about the viewer studying the story. It's just about the fact that it's worth living, loving someone, and not stopping in the pursuit of anything, even if it means giving up on our life dreams. It's a strange coincidence that I watched the movie exactly when I was in the mood that personal, academic, or any other situation was simply wrong, and no movie could distract me from my any problems. And It's a Wonderful Life awakened something in me. That feeling that in moments when we think it can't get any worse, our life happiness may be just close to us.
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If someone other than James Stewart played the character of George, he probably wouldn't be as believable even in the positive moments, which are almost unbearable. Maybe Cary Grant could handle it. But thanks to James, this is such a beautiful work that everyone should see. It doesn't matter that it's an American masterpiece, it primarily showcases human kindness and the meaning of life. That alone is beautiful and will endure for generations. At least in the movies, if not so much in reality.
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