It's a Wonderful Life

Media:	DVD
Directed by:	Frank Capra
Starring:	James Stewart, Donna Reed
Release date:	14 September, 2004
List price:	~~$19.98~~
Our price:	$14.53 that is 27% off!

It's a Wonderful Life

Average rating: Stars

Donnie Darko in reverse

Compare this with the new film Donnie Darko. In watching Donnie Darko I was struck by the reverse similarity with "It's a Wonderful Life". With Jimmy Stewart we have an angel helping him see what his community would have been like without him and this convinces him that it is a wonderful life thus saving him from suicide. With Donnie Darko we have the opposite scenario. Donnie uses quantum physics through the aid of his science teacher and a street wandering centenarian who has written the book on time travel. This enables him to see why everyone will be better off without him and he saves them from himself by using the portal to wipe away his life and the subsequent destruction it causes. The special effects and relationships are certainly different. The family argument at the dinner table is different. But especially different is the moral implication that life for everyone else would be better without Donnie. What a paradigm shift this is. Do our depressed kids need this kind of suggestion? Better that they watch "It's a Wonderful Life."

It's a Wonderful Life - James Stewart, Donna Reed

BEST MOVIE EVER MADE

This is absolutely my idea of the best movie ever made. I have seen all the so called "best movies ever made" and this one wins hands down. I watch it every year, and never get tired of it. CITIZEN KANE has nothing on this movie.

James Stewart, Donna Reed - It's a Wonderful Life

James Stewart

James Stewart was, before this film, a competent actor with indisputable professionalism. In the decades after this film, he became George Bailey to the fourth generation after his own...

He viewed his own contribution more simply, though. He felt that acting was a job like any other. This degree of modesty and "class" is awfully rare these days. Looking at the whole of his acting career, this film is not really his "best effort." He was pleased to play good guys and bad guys, heroes and villians, and, I think, longed to be seen as somebody who knew how to deliver the goods regardless.

My admiration for him is great, and I miss him terribly.