My favorite Christmas movie is "It's A Wonderful Life". At least once a season I watch the happenings of that "ole broken down Building and Loan". I had my appointment with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed this past Monday night.
I posted my last final for the semester and plopped in the recliner to reintroduce myself to the Frank Capra classic.
It never fails - I got nervous when I knew George is going to be getting in trouble and I still wish Uncle Billy wasn't such a flake. Somehow he should know the money is in the newspaper. And what is with Potter being such a jerk!
Of course, it doesn't matter how many times I have seen the movie, I still cry at the end.
However, this year I watched the movie with a little philosophy of religion (one of my last semester classes) on my mind. The most interesting topic this past semester was the idea of what makes up someone. Is it our physical being or our soul? As a Christian, I always thought soul right off, without any more discussion. However, a new option was given this past semester, what about our relationships? The idea that the relationships in our lives make us who we are intrigued me.
In the movie George was still physically present after Clarence grants his wish of "never being born". Obviously his soul was still around. However, did he really exist? Yes, he interacted with the world now known as Pottersville. Yet, he was "missing" his life.
What was missing for George that finally drove him to want his wonderful life back?
His relationships. His wife Mary and his children.
What makes me cry every year? It's not the soul part of George - when we see the presence of God working in his life through Clarence (though that is a nice part of the movie).
It's not the physical aspect - when George's lip starts bleeding again. Though I get excited right along with George when he starts screaming "my mouths bleeding, Ernie, my mouths bleeding". And don't forget Zuzu's petals.
No, I completely lose it and break out the tissues when Uncle Billy comes in with the basket.
When all of George's relationships pile into his crowded living room you know why Clarence gets his wings.
So, I don't know how I did on my philosophy final. But it is a wonderful life.
Merry Christmas, Mr Potter!
1 comment:
Melissa:
Perceptive take on "It's a Wonderful Life." Capra was a practicing Catholic who incorporated a lot of religious motifs into his films. See this write-up: http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/arts/al0154.html
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