It’s a Wonderful Life
Thursday, December 6th, 2007
We are traditionalists. And I say that in a good way.
I think.
The Christmas tree has its place. The Christmas books too. The Christmas decorations for the book shelves… The Santas napkin holders that dive onto the dining table bench during the night (long story)… The Christmas wreath on the door… The Christmas films.
Ah yes, the films. The Greatest Christmas Movie of All Time, the Muppet Christmas Carol (still watched on VHS, for the DVD cut one of the songs…) and the annual viewing of It’s a Wonderful Life, which continues to connect even though it aged poorly.
Underneath the key message (that most people never see the difference they’ve made in the lives of those around them) there is another theme: standing for right, doing good when your back’s to the wall, and feeling deeply bitter about the whole thing. Despite all the good he did, George Bailey was extremely bitter. And the evil Potter had it right when he said:
I think.
The Christmas tree has its place. The Christmas books too. The Christmas decorations for the book shelves… The Santas napkin holders that dive onto the dining table bench during the night (long story)… The Christmas wreath on the door… The Christmas films.
Ah yes, the films. The Greatest Christmas Movie of All Time, the Muppet Christmas Carol (still watched on VHS, for the DVD cut one of the songs…) and the annual viewing of It’s a Wonderful Life, which continues to connect even though it aged poorly.
Underneath the key message (that most people never see the difference they’ve made in the lives of those around them) there is another theme: standing for right, doing good when your back’s to the wall, and feeling deeply bitter about the whole thing. Despite all the good he did, George Bailey was extremely bitter. And the evil Potter had it right when he said:
You once called me a warped, frustrated old man. What are you but a warped frustrated young man?Ever struggle with that one?
