It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Love this movie, watch it every year. I'm especially excited because the girlfriend has never seen it, so her first impression will be fun.

I never took the theme of giving up your dreams away from this movie. If anything, it's about making do with what you've got, the hand you've been dealt. 

I've been trying to convince people about the darkness of this movie for years. Stewart is just so great at selling a man who gets right up to his breaking point. Even getting to the edge of domestic violence at one point (at least to my eyes). That "Play, Zuzu, play!" scene is THIS close to him giving one of them a slap. But it's the darkness that gives impact to the "happy" ending. That's something so many of its imitators seem to forget. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayward_Woman 

- though Mr. Potter still has yet to suffer for his misdeeds. 

 

 

Not if you seen the true director cut of the film. 

http://www.hulu.com/watch/4267/saturday-night-live-its-a-wonderful-life-lost-ending

It's a subtle difference but I don't think the movie was so much about 'learning to make do' than about getting a sense of perspective; not letting your feelings about what you feel you don't have get in the way of recognising and appreciating the things you do. It's a surprisingly harsh movie in some ways, but that's what makes it great. Unlike a lot of sentimental movies this one earns its happy ending.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayward_Woman 

but the "killing spree" secret ending mentioned in the Simpsons doesn't seem that far fetched considering some of the darker themes in the movie. 

Any movie that features the lead character being put upon by forces outside of his or her control make me gleefully imagine the end credits montage of that character getting brutal and deliciously violent revenge on everyone and everything that has wronged them in any way.

I am always disappointed.

I guess I'll always have Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. 

Sigh.

Its a true blue classic film. Also not to be missed Mr Smith Goes To Washington.

Wayward Woman, that is why this movie resonates and is a classic. There are so many true to life themes and portrayals in this film. Everything from young love to broken dreams and everything in between. Honestly I think any parent who dedicates themselves to their family and children sees themself in Stewart's character. We all gave up dreams and experiences and traded them for the mundane existence of providing a home and raising children. Is this a good thing? That is for each individual to decide. But to say that he 'never truly lived' I think is only from a single point of view...living can be defined in a multitude of ways.

I also think that this film also does the best job of representing the butterfly effect concept of any film, of course it is done under the subject of religeon rather than science but that is neither here nor there. On another front, this film also resonates with anyone who believes in any form of karma. Stewart certainly reaps what he has sewn.

  The reason  Its A Wonderful Life became a Christmas classic is because it was eminent domain. Any TV station could show it for free and they did. As a raging cynic I felt the need to point this out.

   Anne Rice has said that Tale of the Body Thief is a inversion of  Its A Wonderful Life. Lestat sees what his life would be like if he wasn't a vampire and decides he doesn't like it. Of course the world is worst off for him being a vampire since he is a killer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaz 

  The reason  Its A Wonderful Life became a Christmas classic is because it was eminent domain. Any TV station could show it for free and they did. As a raging cynic I felt the need to point this out.

I've tried to pose a similar argument with Night Of The Living Dead. It doesn't hurt that both films are great but anytime that Romero and company complain about the millions they've lost, I tend to think about think the millions, including myself, who were exposed to the film through avenues that would not have existed if the presentors had to pay broadcasting fees.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Jim 

I've tried to pose a similar argument with Night Of The Living Dead. It doesn't hurt that both films are great but anytime that Romero and company complain about the millions they've lost, I tend to think about think the millions, including myself, who were exposed to the film through avenues that would not have existed if the presentors had to pay broadcasting fees.

True but when your Romero I am sure it hurts like a motherfucker. The other day I was talking to a friend and we were trying to figure out how much he could be worth. Always thought it was a shame that people that are considered masters in their field have nothing. I went through his IMDB and he hasn't really had many mainstream hits. I know Dawn of The Dead did really well in it's time and so did Creep Show but that's it right? I mean in terms of big revenue. 

It's public domain, not eminent domain. Public domain is when anyone has the ability to reproduce a work. Eminent domain is when the government can come and take your house to build a monument or a ballpark (Not really).

The copyright on the film was allowed to expire in the 70s, but -- here's what's fun about IP -- while the film was in the public domain, the story of the film was still under copyright, as the author of the original story renewed it in the 70s as well. Republic (now part of Paramount)*, which eventually wound up owning the rights to the story, the soundtrack, elements that were all still under copyright, argued that because It's A Wonderful Life was a derivative work -- meaning that it was derived from the above elements -- it was still under copyright. The courts ruled in Republic's favor, and that's why you don't see it on TV very much anymore. 

That said, I'm more a fan of MEET JOHN DOE.

*which previously owned It's A Wonderful Life.

David Cronenberg once called this "darker than all of William Burroughs, in a way" and went on to describe it as two hours of misery supposedly redeemed by five minutes at the end.