It’s a Wonderful Life, Movie Review Example

This is movie review of the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” it is based on a short “The Greatest Gift” which was authored by Van Doren Philip. The movie is an American drama film directed and produced by Frank Capra and was first released in on December 20, 1946. The assignment shall summarize the movie and analyzing it from a developmental psychological perspective.

Movie Summary

This 1946 vintage film as recognized by the American Film institute to be the one hundred best American ever made movie, though in its time of release the movie was nominated for five Oscars and fail to win any and was considered a big flop.

This very moving drama is about a young lad (George Bailey played by James Stewart) whom when faced with series of profound problems on one Christmas Eve decide to end his misery by committing suicide. George on this fateful day gets very drunk and decides to jump off the bridge and drown. However due to turn of event an angel second class (Clarence Odbody played by Henry Travers), is assigned to save George after review of the good deeds and kind sacrifices that he had associated with. The angel also has a mission of earning his wing if he persuades to win over the heart of George and give him back hope.

George whom from the head angel reviews backs from his teen his achievement of selflessness is the reason why he is chosen as the assignment for Clarence. The review showed that George at the age of only twelve saved his brother (Harry) from the jaws of death, losing his hearing of one ear in the process.  The review later marvels at the way George working as an errand boy at a pharmacy save his misery incapacitated boss, the druggist of the pharmacy from erroneously filling a prescription of a child with poisonous substances.

When George dreams to tour the world and join college are suddenly crashed by the stroke attack on his father whose condition is fatal, George is forced to take the social responsibilities his father had to the society acting the running manager of bailey building and loans association. This is because Mr. Potter the majority share holder of this firm wants it to stop providing home loan for the poor workers, George debates this and is forced to work for the firm so as to reverse this decision, to this all his dream of attending colleges is also crashed, but he selflessly gives his brother Harry the fund to use as college tuition fee. Harry goes to study marries off a rich girl and the father to this girl offers Harry a lucrative job at his firm which he takes. George with his honeymoon money him and his newly wedded childhood sweetheart Mary hatch (Donna Reed) starts up Bailey Park this offers affordable housing project to save the resident from potters high rent establishment.

The start of war sees George is unable to list because of his hearing incapability’s and Harry triumphs as a honored pilot with decree medal honor for 15 gunned down enemy planes, saving life’s of many soldiers as one plane was targeting an U.S troop transport ship.

George predicament continues and his uncle loses fund designated for accounts for the building and loan association in the hands of the scrupulous Mr. Potter, Whom later accuses George of scandals of bankruptcy and prison. Makes George despair and want to commit suicide however Clarence tricks him and jumps before hand forcing George to save him. Clarence then reveals his identity, this he also shows George the great deeds of selflessness he has done his whole life and George change mind and when they head back home Harry pays off the debt George allegedly owes and very one is appreciative of the his selflessness acts and this he realizes he is blessed and finally Clarence gets his wings and thanks George in a small note.

Theoretical Application

These acts of selflessness if added to the value of life then the standards of life and also quality of life would increase. Putting other people need first is the theme of this movie and if all of us could posses this gift then the world would prove to be a better place. Vices that accumulate to states indulging to end quarrel with bloodshed inflicted by wars and triggered by sanction by the super power coalition states (Randolph, 2002).

If we learn to compromise in all situation without holding any grudges and ill merit that are associated with evil thinking and result to physical confrontation. If only our thought would be triggered by positive notions, then the world would be a safer place for not only us but the future generation (Smith, 2002). The moral in this movie is exceedingly like the love that Christ had for the world giving his life for us to be saved. If these morals can be enacted and be heeded by pupils and the public in general then only sickness and death would harbor a smooth life for all generation.

References

Capra, F. (1946). It’s a Wonderful Life. City of Commerce: Liberty Films

Randolph, S. (2002). Challenging Your Preconceptions: Thinking Critically About Psychology. (2nd Ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth

Smith, R. (2002). Forty Studies that changed Psychology.  6^th Ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall.