Despite the fact that Frank Kapra is well-known for the maudlin sentimentality that runs rampant throughout the majority of his work, It's a Wonderful Life is surprisingly downbeat. It's about an intelligent man filled with dreams and ready to take life by the horns...only to watch every single one of his aspirations crushed by the weight of his real life responsibilities and his own selfless nature until he's left a broken, miserable man profoundly disappointed with his life. When he's finally had enough, he heads to a bridge on Christmas Eve and decides to end it all, presumably ready to leave his struggling family complete with a wife and several small children to face destitution without a breadwinner. And let's not even talk about the uncle who may or may not have Alzheimer's, or the fact that Mr Potter faces absolutely zero negative repercussions for his numerous crimes (including grand larceny) and his general misanthropy. Sure, the ending puts a nice tidy bow on everything, and seeing how much he means to people may have shocked George out of his current suicidal funk. But it feels a little bit like putting a bandaid on a bullet wound, and we can't help but think that after the rosy glow of the holidays wear off, he might end up fighting off depression once again. Merry Christmas, everybody.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
