My sister was running a bit late, so I bought our tickets and got a coffee while I waited. The theater was really crowded, but mostly with people going to see the new Star Wars movie and I wondered how well attended It's A Wonderful Life would be. When my sister arrived, she wanted to get some popcorn, and the line was really long, so I went ahead into our theater to make sure we got good seats. As it turned out, it's a good thing I did, because it was hard to find two seats together. By the time the movie started, the only seats not filled were the ones right in front. It was really heartening to see so many people- from all age groups- packed in to see the classic movie. Most there seemed to be like us: people who knew and loved It's A Wonderful Life, but there was a small group of teens not far from us who I think were seeing it for the first time. During certain amusing scenes, when the rest of us would laugh appreciatively and fondly, their laughter seemed surprised, if that makes sense. In any case, we all had a great time, and when the movie ended, everyone applauded enthusiastically.
Last night, one of my sisters and I went to see It's A Wonderful Life, which was playing at one of our local cinemas. Of course, we've seen the movie many, many times but never before on the big screen and we thought it would be fun. It was. My sister was running a bit late, so I bought our tickets and got a coffee while I waited. The theater was really crowded, but mostly with people going to see the new Star Wars movie and I wondered how well attended It's A Wonderful Life would be. When my sister arrived, she wanted to get some popcorn, and the line was really long, so I went ahead into our theater to make sure we got good seats. As it turned out, it's a good thing I did, because it was hard to find two seats together. By the time the movie started, the only seats not filled were the ones right in front. It was really heartening to see so many people- from all age groups- packed in to see the classic movie. Most there seemed to be like us: people who knew and loved It's A Wonderful Life, but there was a small group of teens not far from us who I think were seeing it for the first time. During certain amusing scenes, when the rest of us would laugh appreciatively and fondly, their laughter seemed surprised, if that makes sense. In any case, we all had a great time, and when the movie ended, everyone applauded enthusiastically. It was really nice to watch the film on a big screen. With the picture so large, you notice things- or see them more clearly- which you couldn't before. Also, the sound being better- and louder- I actually heard a line, spoken by someone in a crowd scene, which I had never heard before: when George chases librarian Mary into a bar, a guy in there threatens to hit him over the head with a bottle. It was the first time I'd heard that line. Speaking of George, I was stuck afresh by just how good Jimmy Stewart is in this film. He plays George Bailey over a number of years, and displays every emotion from boyish enthusiasm to bitter cynicism, to quiet desperation. He channels an inner darkness which previous Stewart movies never really hinted he was capable of. This is important, because other than the opening of the movie, when George is a child, Stewart is in almost every scene. And he's certainly up to the challenge. I love every bit of this film, but the scene I think which makes me the most happy is when, after getting his life back, George runs impetuously through the town, shouting "Merry Christmas!" After all the tension and drama, it's such a joyful, cathartic scene. But really, it's hard to pick favourite moments, because the whole movie is just so great. It's one that I can watch again and again, and it never gets old. The people at the cinema to see Star Wars may have been more excited, but I guarantee they didn't leave any happier or more satisfied than those of us who were there to watch It's A Wonderful Life. What a great film!
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About MeI'm a lover of good books, classic movies, and well-written shows (as well as some pretty cheesy ones, to be completely honest). Categories
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