[Movie] 'It's a Wonderful Life' is a story for everyone who feels like 'I'm nothing...'—a must-watch for those living life with sincerity

Because most people are ordinary, and yet, they are necessary
[It's a Wonderful Life]
(1946 / American film / Director: Frank Capra)

■ Genre / Human drama, fantasy
■ Enjoyability for everyone / ★★★★☆ (For anyone who is okay with old movies)
■ Aftertaste / ★★★★★ (The best! Though life goes on)

(These are my personal thoughts)

*The following contains spoilers for the movie

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■ This might be 'my' story

What kind of movie touches the heart?

When people ask me for recommendations, I might suggest a family movie to someone raising children, or an adventure movie to someone who loves the outdoors. If the theme is off, the reaction might be, 'It was a good movie, but it doesn't really relate to me right now...' Whether the theme hits home for who you are right now is what matters.

If that's the case, isn't a movie that makes anyone feel, 'This might be my story,' the strongest kind? For example, 'It's a Wonderful Life'.

Some people might not like old movies or heartwarming content, or might not be interested, but if they watch it, almost everyone will surely start to wonder. That is,

--If I didn't exist in this world, what would it have become?

That is the question.

The synopsis of 'It's a Wonderful Life' goes something like this.

■ 'I won't tell anyone'—Crying over young George's neighborly love

Contrary to the first impression you get from the title, this is, on the whole, a story about George's 'not-so-wonderful life!'

But George isn't just a pushover. He can speak his mind, and he is quite human, with intense joys and sorrows. It's just that in the end, he always ends up empathizing with others' feelings and drawing the short straw—always, always.

What I especially like is the episode from George's childhood where his kindness stands out. When I rewatched it the other day, I was already sobbing at this point, just 11 minutes in.

Mr. Gower, the owner of the pharmacy where George helps out, makes a mistake in mixing medicine for a customer (a sick child) and has George, who is running an errand, carry poison (!) to them. George, realizing this, doesn't know what to do and goes to the loan company to consult his father, but his father is busy. George trudges back to the pharmacy, gets hit by Mr. Gower, who asks, 'Why haven't you delivered it yet!', and points out that it's poison. Mr. Gower then hugs George while crying.

--And these words from George.

'It's because you got sad news, isn't it? I won't tell anyone.'

Oh, I can't take it anymore. Waaaaah...
Yes, Mr. Gower had received a telegram that day saying, 'Your son has passed away.' Young George, who understands the pain of others. And the lifelong bond formed with Mr. Gower...

By the way, I realized this when I watched it again later, but Mary (his future wife), who happened to be at the pharmacy at that time, must have known about this too. Mary understood deep down what kind of person George was. No wonder she loved him so deeply (to the point where she didn't even get angry when their honeymoon was ruined).

■ How does a wingless angel help George in his time of need?

In this way, knowing "who" was by your side when you were feeling weak can sometimes lead to great salvation. Come to think of it, the whole movie feels like that. When you were in trouble, who was by your side? -- Many of the townspeople would answer. It was George.

The building and loan association he inherited from his father was constantly being harassed by the millionaire Potter, and it was a tiny, fragile business. Even so, it was like a pillar of support for the hearts of the townspeople who wished to live peacefully in their own homes. George was also blessed with the greatest happiness in life, his wife Mary, and felt that his work was rewarding.

And yet...

The misfortune that befalls George on Christmas night is very painful to watch (it's caused by his uncle's clumsiness, but Potter is also heartless).

But in the midst of that, how droll the "second-class wingless angel" who appears before him is... His initial way of helping, by jumping into the river himself, is sloppy (laughs), and the way he asks for wings, saying "I really want them, please help me," feels like he's taking advantage of George's good nature, and George's answer of "Of course" is also laughable (you, in this situation?).

However, the idea that such an angel came up with is wonderful. My heart was so shaken that I couldn't stand up for a while after it ended.

■ George was giving shape to compassion, not just loans

What the angel showed George.

Since this movie and this episode are famous, I think it's okay to write about them... (Please be careful if you don't want to know).

It was "a world where George was never born."
The hearts of the people and the townscape were so devastated.
The bar that used to be a place for people to relax only had "strong liquor to get drunk quickly," and the places where the movie theater and department store used to be were completely taken over by neon-lit streets at night. Naturally, the homes of the townspeople that George had financed were gone. The hearts of the friends who used to laugh together were completely hardened, and the town was controlled by Potter.

What George was doing wasn't just providing mortgage loans.
He was giving shape to his "compassion," wishing for the townspeople to have a humane and peaceful life.

Clarence, the second-class angel, says:

George finally realized it.

■ For us, it matters "who that person is"

Of course, this is a fantasy, and in reality, angels don't visit us. But I can say this much: the miracle and salvation that happened to George after this were not caused by an angel.

I once read somewhere that 'luck only visits those who are prepared,' and George had been preparing all along (unconsciously). You could even say that his entire life up to this point was preparation for receiving this miracle.

Because I think people sometimes value 'who is in trouble' more than 'how much trouble they are in.' If Potter, the perfect villain in this movie, were in dire straits, how many people would actually run to help him?

But what about George?
What if George were in even a little bit of trouble?

Wouldn't most people living in this town do the same thing?

The climax is just so divine that it's endless to talk about every single character, but my personal favorite is Annie, the Black maid. Her line, 'For when I get a divorce...' (omitted), is so humorous that I find myself laughing while crying (also, I find Mr. Gower from the pharmacy so comforting).

■ Life is not just subjective—there is also objective and bird's-eye perspective

A life that doesn't go as planned is likely 'not wonderful' to the person living it. But that is a subjective life, and I've recently started to think that there might be objective and bird's-eye perspectives on life as well...

In other words, there might be others who think, 'The day you are living today is wonderful.' —An objective life.

Another is that 'wonderful days visit even a life that doesn't go as planned.' —A bird's-eye view of life.

I believe we are all living... such multifaceted lives.

This movie depicts a 'life that is by no means easy.' But perhaps that is exactly why the director, Frank Capra, was able to give it the sweet title 'It’s a Wonderful Life.'

■ Those who treat others like human beings are treated like human beings themselves

Finally, I would like to quote my favorite line from George. It's from the first half of the movie, where George speaks with anger and respect for his father to the greedy Potter, who is trying to shut down the building and loan company his father left behind.

I think the reason this movie never gets old, even after decades, is that it conveys 'very obvious truths' that are still shockingly applicable today.

We all, always, want to be treated like human beings.
How obvious and wonderful it is to be treated like a human being...

It is certainly a fantasy, and the world isn't that sweet. Even so, having a story that serves as a pillar of support gives you the strength to live.

It really does.

That is why, whenever I want to see someone who cares for others grasp true happiness, I decide to remember 'It's a Wonderful Life.'

Let's pray again today.

—To the 'George' inside me, and the 'George' inside you, Merry Christmas...