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Rating: Life is Wonderful.
The title suggests a predictable type of film. And yet we are faced with one of the first sentimental-Horror movies of the post-war period. Disconnect the irony factor because it won’t be the key to understanding this review.
Set in a quiet American town in the twenties, the story exudes lightheartedness and naiveté. Among the stars, GOD calls one of his servants, "Clarence" who is an "angel without wings". He must save the life of a certain George if he wants to earn his wings. Thus, he will be trained to learn the earthly life in order to intervene in his dark moment: wishing to end his life. But have no fear, there are no violent scenes except for a poorly thrown punch. The film showcases positive feelings that will move the viewer many times. Our George is generous from childhood, ideals suitable for everyone. The boy grows up, in his twenties. His determination to succeed has not waned; in fact, he is about to leave town just for that reason. It would have been too nice if the film ended here, right? So along comes an unexpected negative event, affecting him indirectly. This ties him to the town, against his will. That town that ultimately will become "his" through acts of kindness. But a sentimental-Horror film needs someone who against their will plays the part of the "villain". Enter Mr. Potter: old, disabled, portrayed without ideals. Always accompanied by someone insignificant, aware of being hated.
The aforementioned further shackles our good Samaritan, who must defend and will defend his father's legacy from this man. George hopes his brother can replace him, but eventually, he discovers he is alone with his own desires.
Moving is the scene at the doorstep of his home where he throws the brochures of the places he wanted to visit. So he gets married and has children. In the town, he becomes important and respected. One day, however, our villain tries to approach twenty-eight-year-old George again. He does it with money, as it is what gives him an identity that everyone likes, ugly and wicked as he has been defined. But George refuses him, condemns him, makes him a slave of himself.
And then the event. Potter, after a confrontation with George's uncle, discovers he has money, probably belonging to the careless relative.
And like a good villain, he says nothing. George discovers he's bankrupt without that money, and do you know what he does? Returns to the Villain to ask for a loan...when he could have asked anyone else, having done good, as the film suggests. And yet he goes to Potter, who, asking him the same question, masochistically refuses his redemption which would have made him good to maintain his own identity.
At this point, the festival of the grotesque begins, the horror scenes are textbook, stunning the intervention of the "angel without wings" that shows George what life would be like without him. A crescendo of fear and disbelief that borders on madness. His loss of identity lies in the loss of the so hated villain. Because the villain has become Potterville. Because everyone has become him, and he remains alone, without even the ideals, dissolved in a glass of martini. Thus, the "Clarence" effect disappears and George returns to earth. Back in his role, he embraces everyone, runs in search of his wife and family.
From the window, he wishes Merry Christmas to Potter, alone, in the company of his dark servant.
That image is gruesome. What was Potter doing on Christmas Eve immobilized behind a desk? A scene that will function as a mirror for subsequent events — "?Happy ending?". An ending that showed everyone for what they were: monsters of kindness. All that black and white Christmas, the money thrown there freely like the blood of a more recent "?Splatter-movie". Our George, who takes pride in having created his empire and his slaves of false generosity. The emotion was all for the villain, the rest for George. And like in a Horror, I was afraid of my own fear: the fear of being alone.
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