Its A Wonderful Life 5 Reasons Why The Christmas Classic Still Holds Up (& 5 Why Its Way Too Dated)

It’s A Wonderful Life: 5 Reasons Why The Christmas Classic Still Holds Up (& 5 Why It’s Way Too Dated)

Although many people would say It’s A Wonderful Life is the ultimate Christmas film, some argue that it shouldn’t be anymore…

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It has been 74 years since the movie It’s a Wonderful Life was first released. Over the years the Christmas drama has kept the spot amongst the must-watch holiday movies and it seems like the audience can’t have enough. Every year there are about a thousand charts where Christmas movies are ranked, from Home Alone, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Elf and it seems that 1946 classic somehow finds its way back.

But what kind of reception does it receive from fans? While there are a few people that love it and think it’s the best movie ever made, there are a few who believe the movie is overrated and not suitable for the holiday season. So let’s debate it – do the public think it is a great movie or it’s too dated.

10 Too Dated: Foggy-Like Cinematography

The movies today are modern, flashy, and feel richer with the latest high definition resolution. The new technology is so advanced that people often feel like they can get up and enter the scene.

This can be a thumbs down moment for movies that were made the old-fashioned way with their outdated cameras (which can result in a foggy-like image on today’s modern screens.) It is true that movies filmed in the ’40s, such as It’s A Wonderful Life, can have low appeal to the young generations who love their modern motion and a crystal clear colored image.

9 Still Holds Up: Good Dialogue

It is no secret that the old movies have better dialogue. It comes across as funny, clear, and witty. The actors speak clearly and since there is not much going on in the background, the emotions are clearly expressed on their faces so the audience can almost feel their pain or joy. Especially golden quotes that come from characters like Annie (Lillian Randolph) “I’ve been savin’ this money for a divorce if ever I got a husband.”

8 Too Dated: Undertones Of Abuse

Although people in the ’40s and ’50s might not have thought much about the way George treats his family or his wife but several things he does in the movie have raised alarms with modern-day viewers.

For instance, some people find it extremely hard to like George when he refused to give Mary her clothes back despite her asking several times. They find it a little disturbing that some people mistake his aggression for passion and let’s not forget how he traumatized his children with his living room outburst. George’s behavior is a huge red flag and something that wouldn’t be included

7 Still Holds Up: Memorable Soundtrack

Movies from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s had a special kind of sound, they made sure the emotions are hyped with corresponding background music that captured the attention of the viewer in full.

In the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, Dimitri Tiomkin was chosen by Frank Capra to work on the majority of the music that the audience heard. Tiomkin also worked with Capra on Meet John Doe, You Can’t Take It With You, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and the series Why We Fight.

6 Too Dated: Cliché And Formulaic Storytelling

Characters, such as George Bailey, can be found in every Christmas story. Ever since Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol, the majority of Christmas movies the audience see always have a protagonist who is in dire need of help. By the end, they always seem to find a resolution to their problems.

Obviously, It’s A Wonderful Life tries to add its originality by including an Angel instead of a ghost. However, with A Christmas Carol being adapted for the screens in 1951, 1970, 1984, 1999, and 2009, people are a little tired of the formulaic and repetitive structure.

5 Still Holds Up: Costumes

Even though the movie is in black and white, there still should be a round of applause for the beautiful dresses, gowns, suits and tuxedos that the cast wore on set.

Everyone looks so clean, everything is perfectly fitted and every girl would kill to be able to wear a dress as beautiful as the one Mary Hatch (Donna Reed) wore dancing. On the other hand, George Bailey (James Stewart) had gorgeous suits, hats and shoes that fit every occasion.

4 Too Dated: Drags On Too Long

Everyone loves a good old Christmas movie on a snowy Sunday afternoon. A movie that will create a cozy atmosphere for somewhat over an hour, anything longer and somehow the magic is gone. Usually, movies that are over two hours are far tenser and require a lot of attention.

The movie It’s a Wonderful Life has a length of two hours and ten minutes which is around forty minutes overdue and the audience tends to press the pause button more often than to finish it.

3 Still Holds Up: Irreplaceable Cast

The plot of the movie It’s a Wonderful Life might be criticized or loved but there is one thing that is certain, the cast and their incredible performance. The actors and actresses in the ’40s did not have many legends to learn from because they were the legends.

Actors like James Stewart, Lionel Barrymore, Donna Reed, and Beulah Bondi set the base and roots of Hollywood. Many generations after them were following their footsteps to try and become famous and leave their own legacy.

2 Too Dated: At Moments, Depressing And Sad

Moments like the ending of the movie where George realizes the true meaning of life and the entire town celebrates the grand finale the reality is much more depressing.

The sad truth is that George’s wish was to leave his small town and make something out of himself never came true and in the end, he ended up right where he didn’t want to be. It seems that for George it’s not such a wonderful life after all.

1 Still Holds Up: Black and White Movie

The movie industry was producing only black and white movies until the early ’50s. Up until then, black and white movies had a certain advantage, where the details and lighting are easier on the eyes made the entire experience smoother.

Today many people love to watch black and white movies since it gives a certain vintage atmosphere and It’s A Wonderful Life falls among the all-time favorites.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/its-a-wonderful-life-classic-v-outdated-jimmy-stewart/

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