Comments on: It’s A Pitiful Life

By: Yippee-ki-yay; merry Christmas « Blunt Object

Yippee-ki-yay; merry Christmas « Blunt Object — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 07:39:22 +0000

[...] people die in choreographed action sequences it manages to be less morose and disturbing than the classics – in fact, it’s downright uplifting if taken in the right [...]

By: Thomas Jackson

Thomas Jackson — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 08:54:36 +0000

Yes and I’ll bet you thought old man Potter was a successful man who was your hero. Here’s some coal for your stocking. People who can see things this way should be lawyers or politicians.

By: cargosquid

cargosquid — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 02:35:44 +0000

Bah! Humbug!

But I’ll watch it differently next time….

By: Paco

Paco — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 02:27:28 +0000

All that may be true, but I watch it for the uncredited clip of the great Meade Lux Lewis playing a boogie-woogie number on the piano in the bar scene.

By: Doug Mataconis

Doug Mataconis — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:49:14 +0000

I do agree that some parts of the review I linked to are a bit much.

The part about whether or not George would still go to prison, for example, or the part about the economic viability of Bedford Falls in the 21st Century.

By: Kat

Kat — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:19:44 +0000

Well, coming from that angle, I’m more of your opinion: it’s certainly NOT a sappy movie, if watched thoughtfully. The “flashbacks” without Bailey’s influence are certainly quite painful and dismal. But I still don’t think the dark overtones are the main point – rather, they offer the needed contrast to show off all the good that “ordinary” people do in simply living life the best they can.

Although I know there will be a lot of sorrow over many of my actions – and inactions! – when I get to Heaven, one thing I’m looking forward to is seeing how one casual word or action may have actually HELPED someone when I didn’t realize it.

So, yes, the movie is quite dark – but the hope that shines out of that darkness it the real theme. The contrast makes it far more than the two dimensional movie many like to think it, and as for that one dimensional NY Slimes “blackwash” – feh!

I still think you need better reading material *snicker*

At any rate, my wishes to you and your family for the most blessed and merry Christmas, with a safe and happy New Year!

By: Doug Mataconis

Doug Mataconis — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:07:46 +0000

Kat,

I don’t dislike the movie, I just don’t think it has the cheery overtones that people ascribe to it.

It’s far darker than that, as the reviewer notes, and Stewart’s rage in the penultimate scene before his “wish” his granted — comparable only I think to his performance in Hitchcock’s “Vertigo” — is really quite good.

Actually, I think this makes it a far more interesting movie to watch than just thinking of it as a sappy Christmas movie, which is really isn’t.

By: Kat

Kat — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:04:17 +0000

Wow. Um… Going a little Scroogy here? Yes, George Bailey’s life didn’t work out the way he wanted it to, but the whole movie is about how he made the best of his circumstances and remained faithful under trial and disappointment.

His “abuse” of his children and rant at his uncle happened while he was under extraordinary stress (and yes, it was still wrong), and all the other information the movie offers indicates that he was a loving father and a gracious man.

For me, the whole movie is about the quiet perseverance and dedication that the majority of humanity lives in. It’s a reminder that, no matter how mundane your life may be, no matter the disappointments, no matter the sorrows, a life filled with good character and gracious performance of duty is a good and noble thing. It may not make the headlines, it may not rake in the money – but those lives are what keep our culture and the world somewhat stable and sane in the midst of uncertainty and hard times.

I see the article was in the NY Slimes, Doug… And while it’s certainly your prerogative to dislike the movie, this kind of over the top criticism makes me think you should find better reading material… At least if you want to have a joyous Christmas, LOL!