Just a Thought...

I’m not going to pretend to write anything that hasn’t already been thoroughly discussed in relation to Frank Capra’s beloved 1946 film. However, that doesn’t prevent me from discussing my dismay with the film’s classic status and perennial favoritism. In light of recent educational advancements in my film studies I have come to realize the ever-present ideology embodied by some of our country’s favorite films. Like no other media, film manages to encapsulate the values and expectations of our society and wrap them up in a manageable and sought after commodity. In effect, it has become an efficient and self-serving mode of entertainment and education. This is especially evident in the climactic scenes of It's a Wonderful Life. Jimmy Stewart and his family have their prayers answered and life restored when the town pulls together to smother their table in cash monies with blatant defiance, or ignorance, of the Rosebud Syndrome.

Undoubtedly, money has become our way of life both inside and outside of silver screen narratives. It would be naïve and perhaps irresponsible to think that one could survive without it. This 1946 movie, likely product of its time, makes no effort to suggest anything but this notion. Money makes us happy. We cannot survive without. If there is one thing that will elicit final satisfaction with one’s personal state of affairs then it is most certainly the acquisition of adequate funds. My dissatisfaction comes with the film’s solidified holiday residence. Every year the film finds its place on movie screens, reruns, in Christmas movie references, and is yearly tradition for classic film fans. Yet for me, only one other film buff who in no way considers my own opinion any more valid or worth listening, it sends the wrong message at the most vulnerable time of the year. If money equals happiness then by all means let this be the Christmas movie to end all Christmas movies. However, currency is far from evenly distributed about our country and is by no means indication of the spread of happiness.

While I don't by any stretch of the imagination consider this film to be in a class of its own in terms of ideological malfeasance, I do consider it to be one of the most blatant and relevant. It would be interesting to consider an ending that didn’t so triumphantly satisfy the audience, but who would want to see It’s a Horrible Life?