Gef’s Festive Film Advent Calendar: 21 Dec

21 Dec

It’s a Wonderful Life

*Available to watch on Amazon Prime.

It would remiss of me to put a festive film list together and not include this wholesome classic. It is soup for the soul. Made in 1946, this lovely story stands the test of time and has, thankfully, remained untouched by the greasy, money-grabbing mitts of Hollywood bigwigs who want to make a quick buck by remaking old movies.

Similar in vein to Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, it follows the story of George Bailey, an incredibly stressed and frustrated businessman, visited by an angel who shows him what life would have been like if he had never existed. I guess it’s also kind of in a similar vein to Elf too… We have discovered another festive film trope: Christmas helps angry businessman realise that family is more important than work. If we wanted to go all sociological about it, I could say these tropes highlight how the patriarchy screws over men just as much as it does women by pressuring them into thinking they have to be the primary earner of the family. But it’s Christmas. And I only properly start talking feminism after 2 gins. Back to the film.

In keeping with its title, it is wonderful. Made all the more so by it being in black and white, taking you back to a time where Christmas seemed simpler. Put the fire on, grab a mulled wine, get cosy, and watch this one with your grandparents. I’m sure they’d appreciate the wholesome family moment just as George does by the end of the film.