Post by klep on Dec 24, 2017 23:56:40 GMT -6
MOVIE OF THE WEEK for 12/25: It's A Wonderful Life
CHRISTMAS WEEK!
Maybe the world turned cynical, maybe it always was cynical. But at some point, the world at large decided that Frank Capra's masterworks were just sentimental schlock. Capra-corn, I've seen it called, and none moreso than It's A Wonderful Life. But people who only remember that deliriously happy ending and James Stewart running down main street wishing inanimate objects a Merry Christmas forget the work that gets put into earning that finale.
Life was a constant struggle for George Bailey (James Stewart). He lost his hearing in one ear, multiple chances to go travel like he always dreamed, multiple chances to go to college, and multiple chances to get above living day-to-day or even get rich. The pain with which he realizes his losses is evident, as is the frustration. And when circumstances and the evil of local rich man Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore) combine to take away what little he has left, it's no wonder he considers taking his own life. He can spare his family some humiliation, and they won't have to deal with him anymore. No one will have to. That will be better, right?
But what the viewer sees - and what George forgets - is that each one of those losses came because George decided to take the hit in order to help someone else. He lost his hearing saving his brother's life. He lost at least one chance to go to college to give his brother his own chance to follow his dreams. But most of his losses come to helping the town of Bedford Falls - saving it and its people from the predations of Mr. Potter by keeping his father's Building & Loan afloat.
What George doesn't realize is that the reason his life has been tough is because he is such a good man that what to him seem like just the obvious things to do are incredible acts of self-sacrifice. He always regrets what his decisions mean for his dreams, but he never hesitates to make them, and he never makes a big deal of them to others. It just wouldn't occur to him that he's done anything particularly admirable.
But his endless self-sacrifice has ripple effects through the lives of everyone in town, and that's what Clarence (Henry Travers) shows George. Without George not only is there no war hero Harry, but the entire town is bought and exploited by Mr. Potter. Main Street becomes a regular Skid Row - all bars, strip clubs, casinos, and other forms of decay and corruption. The people of the town are bitter and cynical, having no hope for anything better. It is George's unfailing struggle to help people and do what's best for them that held all of this at bay.
And in the timeline where George exists, those people know it. George went through his life quietly sacrificing his opportunities to give opportunities to others, and over the years it became apparent to the whole town who they have to thank. Mr. Potter laughs at the idea that George could go to the whole town for money, and George would never think to because he would never think they owe him anything.
But they do, and they know it, and we know it. And that's why when everyone shows up at George's house to restore the missing funds out of their own pockets, it's really only George who's surprised. And we're all weeping in our seats because we know he deserves it, and we're so happy to see a good man saved so selflessly by his friends.
OUR NEXT MOVIE OF THE WEEK for 1/1: Contagion
DISASTER WEEK!
Most disasters come suddenly, and are over quickly. But an epidemic lingers, and builds its toll over time. Steven Soderbergh's Contagion expertly captures what a truly massive worldwide epidemic might look like, and it is our next Movie of the Week. Contagion is available for rent on Amazon Video, though it is not free for Prime members.
NEXT PICTURE SHOW PODCAST for 12/26: The Talented Mr. Ripley
This week the Next Picture Show podcast looks at a pair of films with charismatic interlopers in this film and the new Call Me By Your Name. We'll have a thread next Wednesday for The Talented Mr. Ripley, available for rent on Amazon Video - though it is only free with a Starz add-on to your Prime subscription.
CHRISTMAS WEEK!
Maybe the world turned cynical, maybe it always was cynical. But at some point, the world at large decided that Frank Capra's masterworks were just sentimental schlock. Capra-corn, I've seen it called, and none moreso than It's A Wonderful Life. But people who only remember that deliriously happy ending and James Stewart running down main street wishing inanimate objects a Merry Christmas forget the work that gets put into earning that finale.
Life was a constant struggle for George Bailey (James Stewart). He lost his hearing in one ear, multiple chances to go travel like he always dreamed, multiple chances to go to college, and multiple chances to get above living day-to-day or even get rich. The pain with which he realizes his losses is evident, as is the frustration. And when circumstances and the evil of local rich man Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore) combine to take away what little he has left, it's no wonder he considers taking his own life. He can spare his family some humiliation, and they won't have to deal with him anymore. No one will have to. That will be better, right?
But what the viewer sees - and what George forgets - is that each one of those losses came because George decided to take the hit in order to help someone else. He lost his hearing saving his brother's life. He lost at least one chance to go to college to give his brother his own chance to follow his dreams. But most of his losses come to helping the town of Bedford Falls - saving it and its people from the predations of Mr. Potter by keeping his father's Building & Loan afloat.
What George doesn't realize is that the reason his life has been tough is because he is such a good man that what to him seem like just the obvious things to do are incredible acts of self-sacrifice. He always regrets what his decisions mean for his dreams, but he never hesitates to make them, and he never makes a big deal of them to others. It just wouldn't occur to him that he's done anything particularly admirable.
But his endless self-sacrifice has ripple effects through the lives of everyone in town, and that's what Clarence (Henry Travers) shows George. Without George not only is there no war hero Harry, but the entire town is bought and exploited by Mr. Potter. Main Street becomes a regular Skid Row - all bars, strip clubs, casinos, and other forms of decay and corruption. The people of the town are bitter and cynical, having no hope for anything better. It is George's unfailing struggle to help people and do what's best for them that held all of this at bay.
And in the timeline where George exists, those people know it. George went through his life quietly sacrificing his opportunities to give opportunities to others, and over the years it became apparent to the whole town who they have to thank. Mr. Potter laughs at the idea that George could go to the whole town for money, and George would never think to because he would never think they owe him anything.
But they do, and they know it, and we know it. And that's why when everyone shows up at George's house to restore the missing funds out of their own pockets, it's really only George who's surprised. And we're all weeping in our seats because we know he deserves it, and we're so happy to see a good man saved so selflessly by his friends.
OUR NEXT MOVIE OF THE WEEK for 1/1: Contagion
DISASTER WEEK!
Most disasters come suddenly, and are over quickly. But an epidemic lingers, and builds its toll over time. Steven Soderbergh's Contagion expertly captures what a truly massive worldwide epidemic might look like, and it is our next Movie of the Week. Contagion is available for rent on Amazon Video, though it is not free for Prime members.
NEXT PICTURE SHOW PODCAST for 12/26: The Talented Mr. Ripley
This week the Next Picture Show podcast looks at a pair of films with charismatic interlopers in this film and the new Call Me By Your Name. We'll have a thread next Wednesday for The Talented Mr. Ripley, available for rent on Amazon Video - though it is only free with a Starz add-on to your Prime subscription.