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The film focuses on the town of Bedford Falls and the central character George Bailey (James Stewart). We see George and his big dreams for the future and how he never fulfils them. Despite having a wife and family we see George deeply unhappy and on Christmas Eve he makes the decision to take his own life.

It is not until the appearance of the angel Clarence (Henry Travers) on Earth, to prevent the act of suicide, that George begins to see the effects of how his actions have shaped the life of so many. Clarence takes George on a journey showing what would have happened had he not been there to offer his help so selflessly to others.

The film is considered to be a classic and rightfully so as every generation can relate to the themes portrayed making it timeless. It is basic human nature to want more than we have and to dream about achieving it; in George we see this on many occasions. It is George's own choices that have led to him remaining in the town; when his father dies he could have left to follow his dreams, but he chose to stay and run the family business. That shows the strength of his character when he finds it impossible to turn his back on the town and its residents.

It shows us the basic idea Christmas was built on, the simple notion that it is better to give than to receive, as George does throughout. The closing scenes in the house also suggest that nobody should be alone at Christmas, when we see George happy with his family and the large number of friends from town in his home.

Many over the years have taken the film to be a depressing one showing George failing to live out his dreams and see the wider Word, but I don't believe that was ever the intentional meaning of the film. It shows so many positives including the fact that we should celebrate and be thankful for what we have as there are always others in worse situations.

The film also highlights that each good deed has a positive knock on effect on the lives of others, though we are not always aware of it. At the end we discover that Clarence has received his wings and while it could be argued that it is a little cheesy, the film delivers an ending that gives a real feel good factor.

Learn more about this author, Matthew P. Nicholson.
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