It's a Wonderful Life: Community and Kindness (Movie Review)

In honor of Ms. England, the Deadline will be reviewing her favorite movie: It’s a Wonderful Life. Released in 1946, this classic film has warmed the hearts of many during the holiday season. At the beginning of the movie, we learn of George Bailey, a charitable man who has fallen on hard times. Faced with the prospect of financial ruin, he contemplates ending his life by jumping off a bridge. This is when Heaven decides to send down a guardian angel to offer some guidance.

"You see George, you've really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to just throw it away?" Clarence

Through a series of flashbacks, we learn about the life of George Bailey. Desperate to leave the town of Bedford Falls, Bailey dreams of traveling the world and becoming a renowned architect. Every time he comes close, familial and business obligations keep him from venturing out. For years, he manages the local Building and Loan association, helping his community obtain safe and affordable housing. After his uncle misplaces business funds, George Bailey is facing potential jail-time for fraud. At the end of his rope and a life insurance policy paper in his pocket, he figures he would be worth more dead than alive to his family and community. To dissuade him, his guardian angel gives him a glimpse into what life would look like if he had never been born. 

It’s a Wonderful Life shows us that our actions ripple across our community in silent ways that we take for granted. An act of kindness may seem inconsequential and meaningless, but that could not be further from the truth. By choosing to be compassionate and good, our society is improved in ways that we cannot measure or comprehend. 

"Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?" Clarence

As the Middle College student body and administration mourns Ms. England, It’s a Wonderful Life has a lot to say about how much value a single life can have to a community. Indeed, several of us would not have jobs if not for Ms. England. Several of us wouldn’t have gotten into our dream schools without Ms. England. If not for George Bailey, the town of Bedford Falls would be a much more miserable place. I’m sure the Middle College community can say the same for Ms. England.