George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) has always wanted to see the world even at a young age. His family owned a bank in the town he lives in and life is hard for George on Christmas because the Great Depression strikes, and people are asking for their money, and George is telling them to stay with the bank, “we will take care of you”. Mr. Potter (Lionell Barrymore), a man who owns a different bank, is willing to give people money right now, just by trying to get all of George’s business and throw him out on the street. When George isn’t sure if there is much left in life for him, there is always someone over your shoulder to protect you, you just have to believe.
This is a christmas movie that will stand the rest of time as being one of the greatest feel good movies of all time. It may start out as a sad movie, but this movie is real life; everyone has gone through a rough time over the holidays trying to make ends meet, to still make a good Christmas for your family, but sometimes things just don’t go the way you want them to. The acting in this movie with all of the characters is perfect. Jimmy Stewart is a nice, young guy who wants a family but wants to see what is outside of his town and country, and he isn’t sure he ever will. As well as being a man who truly isn’t trying to prove anything to anyone all he wants to do for the people of his town is give them what they want. Just– times are hard for the banks, and no one understands that because they have mouths to feed, themselves. Mr Potter, the rich man of the town, wants George’s dad’s business to look bad so that he doesn’t care about his town’s families. Then Donna Reed, the perfect casting for George’s wife, gives not your average acting job of the time for a woman who only gives the man of the film what they want. Mary also wants something, herself, out of life and gives her kids and family a life where no one has to work a day in their life, but she is worried about George because he is coming home scared since he is not sure how he is going to keep the house that he bought his wife. As well as having to take care of her kids who are not understanding what is going on with their father. Mr. Potter is one of the most evil characters in all of Hollywood movies. All he cares about is making more money and he doesn’t care if he throws people out of their homes on Christmas or not. Lionel gives an exquisite performance as a man who just has pure hatred for people who are not in business for the money and are there just to make people feel better. This script was perfectly written, the characters all had their purpose and they were placed perfectly. I truly enjoyed watching this film. It will make you cry, laugh, and will make you care for the characters in this film. Nothing more perfect, and this film truly shows how a man’s struggles can make a town who cares for him come together. I give this movie a 9.8 overall, I give this film 9 gold bars for acting, 9 gold bars for writing, and 8 silver bars for directing . I will see you the next time you want to come back to the movies.