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I spent a few hours this weekend and watched this 1939 classic for the first time. My expectations were pretty high - after all the movie did get 11 Academy Awards nominations and won an Oscar for Best Original Story.. and I did get past my disdain for movies filmed in the Black and White genre. I thought the movie started well.. a senator died and a governor nominated a young idealistic man (played by Jimmy Stewart) to replace him thinking he would be a senator who would not makes waves.. reminded me a bit of last year's battle to replace Hillary Clinton's senate seat.Alas, from there I thought the movie went downhill a bit.. sappy dialog.. predictable plot.. schmaltzy characters.. all a bit too much.. seemed a bit too contrived. And the ending was so bad.. it was like the writer ran out of time and just abruptly stopped writing.
On a scale of 10 I give this movie ★★★★★
Maybe you've seen too many movies that copy this or other Capra films, so it feels cliche to you. There have been MANY! This is one of my favorite movies.
ReplyDeleteYou may be right Missy! Capra was one of the reasons I watched it - I love "It's a Wonderful Life".. one of my all time favorites!
ReplyDeleteWhen did you see it last? Have you seen it more than once? What did you like about it?
Inquiring minds want to know :)
Another classic I haven't seen. It's in my Netflix queue, but so are hundreds of others. I tend to be a bit of a sap so I'll probably like it. ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh man I loved this movie BECAUSE it was sappy and contrived. I laughed when I watched it. Movies have come a long way since then...but Capra loved to paint pictures of the common man doing his thing...and being a hero. Sorry you didn't like it all that much.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it is just an issue of my expectations being off target :)
ReplyDeleteI prefer It's A Wonderful Life with it's lost ending anyway. ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt's a Wonderful Life Lost Ending
I remember seeing that one Mike.. and as lame as that SNL Rambo ending was.. it wasn't as lame as that Senator running into the senate confessing his sins just because Smith fainted :)
ReplyDeleteTrue!
ReplyDeleteBob, I think Andy's comment pretty much describes why I love the movie so much. No pretense, it just is what it is. It's one of the few movies I've watched multiple times. First time I saw it was 20 years ago in high school, and I probably see it at least once a year... 'bout due for another viewing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Missy! Maybe I need to give it another shot? Maybe next year?
ReplyDeleteBob, try watching it when you're feeling cynical about having any ideals. It works for me. :)
ReplyDeleteI think that you are right Missy.. IMO it is better to be a bit naive like Smith rather that cynical like Senator Paine.
ReplyDelete