‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946) is an exceptional story with a complex protagonist

Editor’s Note: This article is a review and includes subjective thoughts, opinions and critiques.

This review contains spoilers. 

On Feb. 16, the Stanford Theater ended its run of Frank Capra movies, and they went out with a bang by showcasing his most famous film, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Typically, I avoid Christmas movies outside of the month of December, but I made an exception for the opportunity to see this beloved classic on the big screen.

The film is an American bildungsroman — a story that follows a protagonist in their development from childhood to adulthood — portraying the selfless life of George Bailey (James Stewart). From an early age, Bailey showed his willingness to put himself in harm’s way and act against his own best interests for others. It became a repetitive theme throughout the film that he’d give up his hopes and aspirations when someone else had a conflicting opportunity or needed help. 

Bailey lived a humble life, married Mary Hatch (Donna Reed) and had four children. The majority of the film follows his life up to the present day, Christmas Eve, where his Uncle Billy (Thomas Mitchell) misplaces $8,000 at the building and loan company that they both work at. Bailey will go to jail unless the money turns up. Disappointed and dejected, Bailey tries to take his own life until he is prevented by his guardian angel, Clarence (Henry Travers), who convinces Bailey of the meaning of his life by showing him a world where he was never born: a world where nearly everyone he knew was worse off.

This film has become a beloved Christmas staple. When people reference the film, they typically focus on the arrival of Clarence and Bailey’s journey in the alternate world. This is likely because it’s the most fantastical segment of the film; however, the heart of the narrative lies in the development of Bailey’s character from childhood to adulthood. He is shown to be a man of great character and selflessness but also lacking in patience and satisfaction with his life. He takes over his father’s business and misses out on college, and when he does so you can see his pain and disappointment. When his brother comes home from college with a job offer, Bailey realizes that he’ll have to keep working in Bedford Falls at the family business forever. He spends the rest of the night drunken and distracted. 

The greatness of this movie comes from Stewart’s ability to portray the great highs and lows of George Bailey. When pop culture reflects on this film, it underappreciates the multifaceted and often flawed character of George Bailey, who yells at his family and berates his aging uncle. The film makes no claim that Bailey is perfect — because no man is perfect. It’s the way that Bailey overcomes his flaws that makes him a character with character.

A small grievance that I have with this film is the oversight in the development of Bailey and Hatch’s relationship. They only have about three interactions before they have their wedding, and all three of the interactions are spread out over the course of more than a decade. In the third of these meetings, Hatch and Bailey express their love for one another, and in the next scene they are wed. 

The film has massive jumps in time that created choppy developments in their relationship — and their characters. Even within the scene where they express their love for each other, it seems like a drastic shift. At the beginning of the scene, Bailey shows very little agency in pursuing a relationship with Hatch, while at the end he is inexplicably in love with her. It’s clear that he had feelings for her at the beginning of the scene. But through some fault, on behalf of the screenwriters or the actors, it just isn’t clear how the transition is made from points A to B. While perhaps this is reflective of the often illogical and unpredictable nature of life, it is strange and disorienting to experience as a viewer.

Despite odd moments of awkward character and plot development, this film is truly exceptional. It’s a timeless, emotional tale about selflessness and hope. I wouldn’t be surprised if this film made its way to the Stanford Theater again sometime in 2025. When it does, I highly recommend making a visit to see it on the big screen.

The post ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946) is an exceptional story with a complex protagonist appeared first on The Stanford Daily.