The Watchlist: Why It's a Wonderful Life is the perfect movie to restore your faith in humanity

Some movies will not only entertain you but also linger in your mind as a silent companion who reminds you of the reasons to cherish life even when faced with trying times.

It was on one of these days when I encountered `It's a Wonderful Life.'
It was already late in the night when I decided to watch this film, expecting it to be a slow, old black-and-white watch turned into something far more precious: a gentle pause, a few unexpected tears, and a smile that stayed long after the screen went dark.

If you’re looking for a film that doesn’t rush you, that comforts rather than overwhelms, and that softly whispers hope when you need it most, this is one I would wholeheartedly recommend.

Here is the trailer:

Synopsis

George Bailey has always been the kind of person who puts himself last and makes sure that other people come first. His life has always revolved around the smalltown of Bedford Falls, and despite his desires to travel around the world and erect wonders, he always puts the needs of the people of Bedford Falls, protected from the clutches of the selfish and wealthy banker, Henry F. Potter, first. George takes over his father’s small business, which provided loans to people to build homes, much to the detriment of his desires.

On Christmas Eve, tragedy ensues as Uncle Billy, George's absent-minded uncle, loses $8,000 that was meant to be put into their bank account, and this lost amount is found and pocketed by Potter. With a bank inspector imminent and their business failing, George is forced to confront that he will be accused and imprisoned, and everything he has fought for will be undone. Overwhelmed with desperation and believing that his family and community would be better off without him, George considers taking his own life.

Unbeknownst to him, the prayers of people whose lives he has influenced are already been answered. Clarence Odbody, a gentle but ineffectual guardian angel who aspires to earn his wings, is assigned the duty of saving George. But since words prove ineffective, Clarence gives George a frightening peep into an alternate reality, an alternative reality in which the birth of George Bailey never occurs.

George finally comprehends the immense influence of all the quiet sacrifices he has made all these years. As Christmas approaches, the darkness of night gives way to the light of Christmas morning, and he discovers that a simple but powerful truth awaited him all along: Every life has meaning, and every life is a truly wonderful one.

Here's my take

When I trudged back to my office, exhausted, my thoughts racing away with deadlines and unfinished business, before sitting down to log in for my late ‘work from home’ shift, a decision was made. One that required no cognition, no browsing, no need for any particular reason other than a simple craving. Two hours. Of nothing. Of nothingness.

And then I came across this old movie poster. Faded. In black and white. No faces I recognized. From 1946. I didn't even realize I was clicking the link, but I'm glad I did.

The movie was “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

And wow! Oh my god! What a beautiful, heart-soothing experience!



It’s a long movie, yes — but at no point did it ever seem indulgent. Every moment has earned its keep. What’s interested me, really, is the way the character of George Baily is presented as a good man — incredibly so, really — and the way the movie suggests it’s never out of the question that Baily believes himself to be a failure. The way this pain has resonated has, in itself, been a revelation. Observing the life of this man, the events that happen, the ones that didn’t, quietly shifts your notion of what constitutes success.

George's lesson seems purely two-part to me. First, that people matter—deeply, wonderfully, because of an accumulation of small gestures. He doesn’t erect a skyscraper or realize his vision of the world, but through his small and stubborn acts of kindness, he transforms an entire town. Second, George understands the meaning of gratitude—not the showy, Instagrammable kind but the tentative kind. To be grateful that the child is healthy, rather than to focus on the ways it might be broken. To be happy to see his brother, rather than resent his accomplishments. To be satisfied with his knowledge of his town, rather than livid about being stuck there. The instance where Mary fails to recognize him in the other world really rattled me—its desperation was so, so real.


The movie is actually the opposite of what I see when bad turns good – instead of a mean man changing his ways, a good man is saved from hopelessness. Frank Capra didn’t set out to make a “Christmas movie” but a gentle salute to the average person’s attempt to do the right thing. And that’s exactly why some of the corniest bits are so successful – the stars winking at us, the angels deliberating with one another in heaven – they’re just that – straightforward and unselfconscious.

Where to Watch?

“It’s a Wonderful Life” can be streamed through various platforms such as “Amazon Prime Video,” “Xumo Play,” and “Plex.” The classic movie can also be rented and bought through the “Apple TV,” “Google Play,” “Hulu,” “Fandango,” and “Sling TV” video on-demand services.

And If you are not subscribed, don’t worry, as you’re in luck! The movie is available for free streaming on Apple TV, Google Play, Hulu, Fandango, and Sling TV, depending on your location and time zone.

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