"We are faced, then, with a frightening alternative. This man we are talking about either was (and is) just what He said or else a lunatic, or something worse. Now it seems to me obvious that He was neither a lunatic nor a fiend; and consequently, however strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, I have to accept the view that He was and is God. God has landed on this enemy-occupied world in human form."
- C.S. Lewis
Saturday, December 20, 2008
I'm not a fan of old black-and-white movies. For one the acting is usually pretty lame. For two there's no color. Those two reasons alone are enough to deter me from watching any film, but the "classics," so to speak, have one other bad thing going for them: they're always depressing. I mean, we've all seen The Grapes of Wrath, right? Yikes. I don't need a movie to tell me how crappy real life is, I've got real life to tell me that.
Around this time of year most DVD-watching drones out there are spinning It's a Wonderful Life like it's a Michael W. Smith CD (that's to say, they're playing it all of the time, twenty-four-freaking-seven). I've managed to make it through my life without viewing the film, and hopefully, when I'm six feet under, I'll have a smirk on my face knowing that I escaped every snare designed to trap and torture me for two or three hours while James Stewart's fictitious life goes down the tubes. No, thank you. I'll pass.
In case you don't believe me, just see what The New York Times says about it:
“It’s a Wonderful Life” is a terrifying, asphyxiating story about growing up and relinquishing your dreams, of seeing your father driven to the grave before his time, of living among bitter, small-minded people. It is a story of being trapped, of compromising, of watching others move ahead and away, of becoming so filled with rage that you verbally abuse your children, their teacher and your oppressively perfect wife. It is also a nightmare account of an endless home renovation.
Who wants to watch "a nightmare account" of anything? No. Thank. You. I'll. Pass.
I know our very own Billboy here at Thinklings thinks It's a Wonderful Life is the best thing since Sarah Palin (or, should I say he thinks Sarah Palin is the best thing since It's a Wonderful Life?), and I know the aforementioned Billboy will now try to use his clout to ban me from our forthcoming convivial gathering, Entmoot. All of that brouhaha because I won't convert to the Dark Side.
Despite all of those negative consequences, I'll pass.
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Comments on "I'll Pass":
2. Shauna
- 12/20/2008 9:55 am CST
Frank Capra's movies are a delight. Suit yourself, but you're missing out.
3. iMonk
- 12/20/2008 9:58 am CST
One of the greatest redemptive stories ever written by an American. I show it to all my students- about 70 from all over the world- every year and they are blown away. A great love story and an incredible reminder of the presence of the Kingdom in the small things.
All of us are tempted to walk away from Bedford Falls and our calling to make a real difference in the world. The result- Pottersville- is all around us.
Really, one of the best movies ever, and more powerful with each viewing.
But I respect your right to dissent. I hate Sufjan Stevens.
4. Bird
- 12/20/2008 10:36 am CST
By the way, I filed this post under "Just Goofin' Off."
While it's true that I haven't seen It's a Wonderful Life, I'm not opposed to viewing it at some point in the future. It's just not a priority, though. (And it does sound depressing.)
5. Bill
- 12/20/2008 10:40 am CST
What iMonk said.
And, yes, It's a Wonderful Life has some very, very dark moments in it. So does the Gospel. That's why you have to watch the whole thing to the end!
Classic movies - I love 'em.
We were going to talk about other things at Moot this year, but now we're just going to talk about this.
iMonk - you are invited.
7. Les
- 12/20/2008 1:52 pm CST
This movie has had a profound effect on my life. Not just a feel-good movie for me. I have been at the edge of suicide and contemplating how much better lives would be if I had never been. When I was there, believe it or not, Jimmy came to mind. I sat down and thought about those who would be hurt by my deed, and God spoke to me about lives He had touched through me. I had to begrudgingly admit that perhaps He had a point.
You never know how or what God's going to use to speak, but now I watch that movie whenever I can and when I do I thank God for His unfathomable mercy and grace extended to me.
Great movie, if a little maudlin, and I sure don't mind the inevitable re-runs every year.
8. Sha
- 12/20/2008 5:15 pm CST
Bird - I guess I'm just going to have to bring the DVD with me down to Houston for the holidays and force you to view it!
Also ... not all black and white movies are depressing! Are you just watching the melodramas or something? There are plenty of comedies and light hearted flicks (e.g. It Happened One Night, Bringing Up Baby, The Lady Eve, Some Like It Hot, etc.)! By the way ... you LOVE the old Charlie Chan flicks! How do you reconcile that with your "anti-black and white movies" stance?
9. Bird
- 12/20/2008 5:21 pm CST
you LOVE the old Charlie Chan flicks! How do you reconcile that with your "anti-black and white movies" stance?
I'm a walking contradiction. Either that or the only b&w's that are worth a flip are Chan, and U2 Rattle & Hum.
10. G. Frederick
- 12/20/2008 10:40 pm CST
You quote someone in the "NEW JUNK TIMES", egad! The reviewer wrote "a story of being trapped, of compromising, of watching others move ahead and away" as if that was a valid description of the selflessness portrayed by the character in the movie. Selfishness is the virtue today and this reviewer is probably a very excellent example of that very thing. I am sure that I am as well, but I never want to lose sight of the real virtue of selflessness.
11. Bill
- 12/20/2008 11:13 pm CST
I didn't even notice the NYT quote.
Bird, that dude's whacked. He probably watched the whole movie and disagrees with the conclusion, and probably thinks Pottersville is a good idea.
Heck, the movie even has people praying in it. How that offends modern sensibilities!
12. jen
- 12/21/2008 6:50 am CST
Beau told me about this post and I laughed because I just knew you had be yanking Bill's chain.
IaWL has huge meaning for my family - my mother saw herself in George Bailey when she was a young mother of two with a military husband deployed for 9+ months. She was at the end of her rope and ready to do herself in. And then she saw It's a Wonderful Life and shortly after that she saw Billy Graham on TV. When Graham offered his trademark invitation, she knelt right there in front of the TV to receive the grace and mercy of Jesus.
Our whole family are disciples of Christ partly because of IaWL, so you'll never hear me say anything negative about it ever. Oh, yeah, and what IMonk said goes for me, too. It's one of the best redemptive and loving movies ever.
13. nhe
- 12/23/2008 9:17 am CST
.......not to mention the acting. The scene in Mary's home where George is talking to Sam Wainwright on the phone while he and Mary look at each other with all the restraint they can possibly muster is probably my favorite scene ever in a film.......the chemistry between these two (Donna Reed/Jimmy Stewart) in this film is unmatched (IMO) in any film since - I know its a simple scene, but it takes my breath away every time I watch it. ****
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woe to those who call good evil...