A thread of unpopular opinions about It’s a Wonderful Life: 1/
The film, structurally, is a recast of a 30s noir film. All the cut shots reveal it, plus it’s about a father of four about to commit suicide before Christmas. 2/
The views of immigration and immigrants hearken back to a less dark era. Mr. Martini has a thick accent, and he’s boozier than the average citizen of Bedford Falls. But he’s no less worthy of dignity. 3/
The whole film is a testament to the American fear of concentrated power. In the scene after Bailey pere’s death, George explains the value of the Building & Loan as being one place where people don’t have to beg to Potter. 4/
Donna Reed/Mary is the great unheralded hero of the film, a greater hero than any female superhero, and every heterosexual man who has seen the film lusts after her unwavering love and commitment. 6/
Every father has related to the rage scene, intensely. 7/
So many of us have at times wished we’d never been born. The great lesson of the movie is that our value is in the small impacts. The role of our lives in the lives of others. In small ways that seem trivial but are not. 8/8
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