11 Utterly Ludicrous Fan Theories (That Are Actually Quite Convincing)

8. It's A Wonderful Life Is Actually A Tragedy

The Theory: The apparent happy ending to Frank Capra's festive classic is nothing more than a grand deception, played on both George Bailey and the audience. George is deeply unhappy, and not simply because of Mr Potter's actions; his entire life is one of melancholy and compromise, and his real happy ending - as morose as it sounds - would have been to be allowed to kill himself and escape his responsibilities. Instead he's convinced to save himself - pressurised by an altruistic duty to help Clarence get his wings - and forced to comply with the very things that make him unhappy - his societal responsibilities and such.

George is forced to fall in line, to abandon his dreams and to be happy about that, without the possibility of release. It's effectively like Truman going back to live his life in the TV show and ignoring the possibilities outside of the boundaries, or Neo plugging himself back into the Matrix after discovering he is the One. And on a grander scale, the film is an allegory for how real life and responsibilities will inevitably get in the way of every dream you have. It's enough to drive anyone to suicide.