Saturday, the 17th of December
‘Christmas Films Eve’
Please note that we have changed the order of the films for December 17th so that 'It's a Wonderful Life' will be shown at 3:30 or so and 'Love Actualy' will be shown at 7:00. This was done to accomodate some folks who wanted to see 'Love Actually' but could not make the original afternoon showing time.
It was produced and directed by Frank Capra who
collaborated
with
Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, and Jo Swerling on the screenplay.
Nominated for five Academy Awards (including Best Picture) it won none.
Over the years, however, it developed a loyal following, largely
comprised of those who appreciate Capra's films. Only in recent years
has it received the recognition and praise it deserves. How to describe
this film? It focuses on a thoroughly decent man named George Bailey
(James Stewart) who, after being financially ruined by his evil rival
Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore), becomes despondent and attempts to
commit suicide on Christmas Eve. George is rescued by his guardian
angel, Clarence Oddbody (Henry Travers), and permitted to learn what
would have happened if he (George) had never been born. Only then does
George fully appreciate how precious life is. Of course, the film has a
happy ending.
Many people think this is a corny film but I do not. As in other films
(notably in Meet John Doe), Capra celebrates certain basic values which
guided and informed George throughout much of his life. When facing
financial disaster which involves not only him and his family but
countless others who entrusted to him their limited funds...and their
own dreams for a wonderful life, George temporarily loses his faith in
those values and his will to live without them. He regains his
appreciation of life only after a near-death experience and a
realization of how important his life had been to others. I am reminded
of the situation in Thornton Wilder's Our Town when Emily Webb fully
appreciates only in death what she had not previously while alive in a
town very much like Bedford Falls..
It is noteworthy that Leo McCarey, a contemporary of Capra's, affirms
many of the same values in films he directed such as Going My Way and
The Bells of St. Mary's. When It's a Wonderful Life appeared in 1946,
the World War II had only recently ended. Moreover, only 17 had years
had passed since the stock market crash. Several contemporary accounts
of American society during the mid-1940s note an excitement about
opportunities which had been denied by the Great Depression and then
delayed by the recent war. An entrepreneur, George Bailey's dream is to
enable as many people as possible in Bedford Falls to own their own
home. The film traces his efforts to make that dream a reality while he
also marries Mary Hatch and they start a family. Yes, George is
idealistic and somewhat naive but has business acumen. Regrettably, he
is vulnerable to....
I am among those who cherish this movie and the values which it
affirms. I am especially grateful for the documentaries, "The Making of
It's a Wonderful Life" and the special tribute to Frank Capra, "A
Personal Remembrance" from "Frank Capra Jr.," which accompany it in its
DVD format. Robert Morris
(Dallas, Texas)
So, where do you suppose ‘Bert’ and
‘Ernie’ of Sesame Street come from?
(Dennis Grittner)
The Dinner will be served about 6:00 and will consist of (for all you carnivores and omnivores) some of Dennis' famous Christmas Chili - or some of Judith's semi-famous semi-vegetarian Chili. Christmas Chili may be RED in color but it is made only with BLUE beer (Pabst Blue Ribbon, no water) steak, onions, peppers, cayenne and other spices. People are cordially invited to drop by as early as 12:30 and be a part of the chili cooking.
Hints for things you can bring - Beer, Sourdough bread, sharp chedddar cheese, sour cream, crackers (various types), and desserts inclduding Vanilla Ice Cream for Root Beear Floats.
Writer/director Richard Curtis enlists a plethora of some of the finest British actors (and a few noteworthy Americans) to tell several different love stories. While it seems that there may be a few too many characters at first, the overall flow of the film allows the viewer to keep track quite easily. The cast is led by the ever-so-charming Hugh Grant as the British Prime Minister. While some critics have called this casting unbelievable, Grant actually pulls it off by portraying a more human, but yet stronger PM that we would all love to have leading us. His dance to the Pointer Sisters' "Jump for My Love" borders a bit on ridiculous, but it is nevertheless fun to watch. In the film, the PM is caught between leading his country with a clear head, or giving in to his feelings of attraction to his tea server Natalie (played by musical actress Martine McCutcheon).
And then there's Emma Thompson, who plays Karen, sister to Grant's PM and a long-married devoted mother. She suspects that her husband Harry (Alan Rickman) may be cheating with a sexy co-worker. Her performance, simply put, is a revelation. The scene where she is in her bedroom is an example of phenominal acting. Hollywood Foreign Press and Academy members: please take notice!
Another strong performance award goes to Bill Nighy, who provides most of the film's comic relief as aging rock star Billy Mack. He puts out a cheesy Christmas record and then publicly bashes it. But in classic Hollywood ending style, he does have an epiphany and realizes his wild musician life has been missing true affection.
Liam Neeson shines as widower Daniel who tries to help his young stepson win the heart of a popular school crush. Equally sweet is Colin Firth as Jamie, a man recovering from a broken relationship in France who falls for his monolingual Portuguese maid. You know what? This film is such an abundance of great performances that I will run out of space discussing them all! Everybody shines! My only cast complaint is that Rowan Atkinson should have been given more screen time.
What I also love about "Love Actually" is that Curtis doesn't, if you'll pardon the pun, wrap up each story in a happy little Christmas package. There are a few sad, realistic moments, particularly in the Karen/Harry subplot and in Laura Linney's turn as Sarah, an assistant who has waited so long to be with the man she loves. She realizes, in some of the film's key dramatic instances, that family matters are getting in the way.
All in all, Curtis has struck gold again, in tradition of movies like "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Bridget Jones' Diary." Yeah, some of the love stories may be a little far-fetched, but aren't they all in fantasy movie world? What matters is that they are sweet and not without their share of obstacles. This film is a nice departure from some of the more disturbing violent films as of late. But be warned: it is a little more adult than most other comedies in theatres. The innuendos, language, and nudity earn the R-rating. So see it without the young kids, but do enjoy.
"daria_m" (Houston, Texas United States)