Fitzgerald writes:

I’m watching one of my all time favorites movies, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, and even though I’ve seen it easily 20 times I still find it compelling and most importantly, inspiring.

 I was especially struck by the scene of the bank crash and as George was focused like a laser beam, as he needed to be, on salvaging the building and loan, Mary not only offered up their honeymoon money, but then out of seemingly nothing created a beautiful wedding night for them in a long abandoned and broken down home. As they close the doors and celebrate their two precious dollars he realizes he’s forgotten completely about his new wife and their, or more accurately his, plans. When Mary calls, she tells him to come home. Is she bitter, resentful, upset that he has ignored her, no, quite the opposite. Is the future certain, far from it, but she loves her man, focuses on creating a beautiful home for them, and supports him lovingly and selflessly through thick and thin. 

Throughout the movie George is sacrificing, albeit not always completely willingly at times, for his extended family and the community at large, a community and family that needs him to. But he still does the right thing no matter the personal consequences to his hopes and dreams for a gleaming, adventurous future. Could he have accomplished all he did to become the wealthiest man in Bedford Falls as his brother so aptly puts it were it not for his loving, supportive and industrious wife, hardly. He would have become a warp frustrated old man like Potter. 

There is so much to be learned from this gem of a movie, for both men and women today. The beauty and splendor of a large family, a loving woman who personifies all the most beautiful qualities of a real women completely committed to her man, their children, friends and community. Without realizing it, George becomes a role model, a man who, while struggling with himself and his dreams for adventure, glamour and riches, inherits a life far richer than he could have ever imagined thanks to the loving, unwavering support of his wife. 

Ironically, this movie was not popular when it came out, largely due to the gloom of then current post war recession and it’s dark, realistic undertones.

Laura writes:

I love George Bailey.

Rose writes:

But even your commenter has to find it a little silly when even after George has seen the grave of his brother, dead at nine, and found out that his uncle is in an asylum, Clarence can’t bring himself to tell his patient what happened to Mary, so horrible, so unspeakable is her fate. She’s…. she’s… she’s… unmarried! Noooooo! Fate Worse Than Death!

Maybe it’s because I happen to work at a library…  I still watch it every December.

Laura writes:

Ha! Ha!

Mary the spinster does look horrible. Her face is pinched and sallow. And she immediately faints when George grabs her. But, I have to say any society that looks upon spinsterhood this way has its heart in the right place.

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