In Defense of It's A Wonderful Life

Aimee Herd - Op-ed : Dec 23, 2008
Breaking Christian News, NY Times

Recently, NY Times city editor, Wendell Jamieson wrote an opinion piece on the classic Christmas movie, titling it: "Wonderful? Sorry, George, It's a Pitiful, Dreadful Life." This op-ed is in answer to that article.

Not long after I was first married, one of the things my husband learned about me and my upbringing shocked him—I had never watched the iconic Frank Capra film; It's A Wonderful Life.

That Christmas, he sat me down on our living room couch, flicking lights on and off in an effort to find that "perfect room ambiance" for the movie. "Make sure you pay attention at the very beginning here…it's important for later," he emphatically stated as the 1946 classic began.

I knew it had to be pretty good from the very serious build up it was receiving from my "other half," but by the time George Bailey was running through town screaming "Merry Christmas!" at the top of his lungs, the tears were streaming from my eyes, and I had become an avid fan.

I've always appreciated a good movie, but, for me, It's A Wonderful Life is in a category all by itself, not so much because of the superb acting by the cast—although that is certainly a huge factor—but mostly because of its message. (Image courtesy MPTV.net)

It's A Wonderful Life reaches into where we live every day; life and all its challenges, hardships and loss; in the midst of the joys of family, friendship and faith. It touches our hearts with the question each of us have asked at one time or another—does my life really matter? And it answers that query with a resounding "yes!"

Our lives matter as they bump up against another's life, whether we mean them to or not… "Strange, isn't it?" says Clarence-the-angel to a desperate George Bailey, after he glimpses the lives of family and friends without his influence—as if he'd never been born. "Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"

And that's a fact. Every day we affect the lives of others—for good or for bad. Even something as simple as a smile, or the opposite on our face, will affect the one who sees it.

My reason for writing this is in answer to a recent article in the NY Times written by Wendell Jamieson. Although Mr. Jamieson claims to still get "choked up" over It's A Wonderful Life, his synopsis is hardly complimentary.

"It's a Wonderful Life is anything but a cheery holiday tale," writes Jamieson. "It's a Wonderful Life is a terrifying, asphyxiating story about growing up and relinquishing your dreams, of seeing your father driven to the grave before his time, of living among bitter, small-minded people. It is a story of being trapped, of compromising, of watching others move ahead and away, of becoming so filled with rage that you verbally abuse your children, their teacher and your oppressively perfect wife. It is also a nightmare account of an endless home renovation…."

Jamieson also has a different view on the changes in the town George Bailey experiences during his time of never having been born. He says, "Here's the thing about Pottersville that struck me… It looks like much more fun than stultifying Bedford Falls—the women are hot, the music swings, and the fun times go on all night. If anything, Pottersville captures just the type of excitement George had long been seeking."

I'm doubtful whether Wendell Jamieson, city editor for the NY Times would ever peruse a copy of Breaking Christian News, however, if he did read this op-ed, I would like to tell him that he missed the point.

I believe It's A Wonderful Life is such an important movie because of the two main ideas communicated throughout the film, which culminate in George's revelation of life's intrinsic worth at the end.

The point is that each life is valuable; precious.

And, in each of our lifetime, our one, solitary life will have touched so many other lives; more than we could ever count, and so many more than we will ever know about while we're on this earth. The richness of living is found in and measured by the love and friendship we share with those around us, and by our faith in God.

It's in that light that we can agree with Clarence and say that it truly is…

"…A Wonderful Life!"