Frank Capra’s film has become a warm favourite firmly
ensconced in western pop culture. But on further analysis one finds any number
of implicit philosophical existential themes.
Synopsis
We are introduced to the likable protagonist, George
Bailey, who as young boy rescues a younger brother from drowning. George
outlines his future dreams which are thwarted by a series of obstacles which
see him opting to make choices always in the best interest of the citizens of Bedford
Falls. His choices prevent the ruthless slum landlord and hard nosed banker, Potter, from gaining control
of the local Building and Loan firm. George has to give up his grand plans to see the world to run
the firm, after his father has a stroke, to wrestle control away from the
acquisitive desires of Potter. So that the condition of the board to back
George is contingent on George staying on to run the firm. Subsequently he faces a series of hurdles that
culminate in the climax to the film as George experiences deep feelings of
despair. Contemplating jumping from a bridge to end his life, Clarence, an
angelic figure, yet to earn his wings, appears on the scene. He knows if he jumps
into the water George’s good nature will prompt him to follow and attempt to save
him. So the two end up in the water and Clarence later listens to George as he
despairingly says he wishes he never would have been born. Clarence grants him
his wish and shows him all that would happen in what has become of his renamed town now called Portersville in his absence. George
realises the shocking results in his absence. That contrasts with all of the positive effects his choices have made and finally shouts
in jubilation. I am alive. I want to live! I want to live! as the film ends on
this high note
Analysis of existential themes
George’s future aspirations
I know what I’m
going to do tomorrow and the next day and the next year and the year after
that. I’m shaking the dust of this crummy little town off my feet and I’m going
to see the world. Italy, Greece, the Parthenon, the Coliseum. Then I’m coming
back here and go to college and see what they know . . . and then I’m going to
build things. I’m going to build air fields. I’m going to build skyscrapers a
hundred stories high. I’m going to build bridges a mile long . . .
But
Georg’s plans are thwarted as he rushes in to prevent a proposal by Potter to
take over the firm following his father’s stroke which will end the more
generous policies to the folk at Bedford falls.
Although
George wins out it is conditional on George staying on and to run the firm. With
a heavy heart George reluctantly agrees and gives the money he has saved for
college, to his brother Harry.
Here
we have an example of what Jean Paul Satre meant when he talked about experiencing anguish.
George feels compelled to
be true to himself and the citizens of Bedford Falls, so he must accept that
responsibility. We can also draw a parallel to the story of Abraham
referenced by Satre and Soren Kierkegaard. Both conclude Abraham must choose on the
basis Abraham is the law maker for both himself but also for all of his people,
to whom he feels a deep responsibility.
Subsequently, in the film
there is a run on the firm just as George is about to set off on a honeymoon
with childhood sweetheart Mary. Potter offers 50 cents in the dollar to
shareholders of the firm to take it over. George uses the $2000 saved for his honeymoon to
partly satisfy some clients and quell the fears of the angry mob.
You’re thinking about this
place all wrong, as if I have the money back in the safe. The money’s not here. Well, your money’s in Joe’s
house, that’s right next to yours. And the Kennedy house, and Mrs. Maitlin’s
house, and a hundred others. You’re lending them the money to build, and then they’re going to pay
it back to you as best they can…. Now, listen to me, I beg of you not to do
this thing. If Potter gets a hold of this Building and Loan Company , there
will never be another decent house built in this town…. Joe, you had one of
those Potter houses, didn’t you? Well, have you forgotten, what he charged you
for that broken-down shack? Here, Ed, remember last year, when things weren’t
going so well, you couldn’t make your payments? Well, you didn’t lose your
house, did you? Do you think Potter would’ve let you keep it? Can’t you
understand what’s happening here? Potter isn’t selling, he’s buying! And why? Because we’re
panicking and he’s not…. Now, we can get through this thing all right; we’ve got
to stick together, though. We’ve got to have faith in each other.
Whilst George is again
successful in turning the tide against Potter he nevertheless laments the
decision. He realises Mary has left and their honeymoon money is gone. He also
would have liked to have given all of the money owed to the people of Bedford
Falls but that is outside of his control. This illustrates Sartre’s
point about our freedom and the angst that comes with it in the decisions we
are free to make. For this is not something human beings relish as we prefer stability,
and only seek out that freedom when we feel it is comfortable to do so. So
Satre talks about how people search for strategies that avoid the inevitable
anguish of freedom experienced by George deciding to remain true to his authentic
self and to continue to have a deep responsibility to the citizens of Bedford
Falls.
A further scene occurs on
Christmas Eve which gives rise to a feeling of despair. This is the films climax as
citizens welcome home George’s brother. Harry was a heroic fighter pilot who
saved a troop transport by gunning down a Bomber. But meanwhile a crisis is
looming since Uncle Billy absentmindedly mislays $8000 to be banked.
George, in desperation, asks Potter for a loan, but he refuses.
But Potter discovers George has a life insurance policy.
“Why, George, you’re worth
more dead than alive!”
The chilling moment of despair is depicted in the scene on the bridge as
George thinks about jumping into the raging water below.
At that very moment, guardian angel Clarence Odd body appears and jumps into
the river knowing George’s good nature means he will try to rescue him.
George carries out the rescue and learns Clarence is really a second
class wingless angel sent to help him and in the process also earns his wings.
Then George tells Clarence he is wasting his time since he wishes he’d never
been born.
This inspires Clarence to grant George his wish. George then gets a guided
tour of Pottersville (what Bedford Falls has become) in his absence and sees
all of the shocking outcomes first hand.
George then begs Clarence to give him back his
life and in the emotive scenes that follow he jubilantly returns prepared to
embrace life, good or bad, with a new sense of gusto. On returning home he is
astonished to find the townsfolk have raised the money he needed. The film
depicts George as finally believing he has indeed a wonderful life.
In
these later scenes we can see how George struggles for life affirmation as in
Nietzsche’s questioning of the state of the spirit.
Rather
obviously George in his statement that he wishes he was never having been born is
lacking in spirit. But the intervention by Clarence, convinces George he should
return from whence he wished to exit. So that George wants to return to life
and accept the good with the bad. This is in accord with Nietzsche’s idea of
‘eternal recurrence’ so that we return to the same state that preceded all of our
life experiences. In a life to be lived to the fullest, in life affirmation
that gives us that zest for life. ‘Whatever cannot kill me can only make me
stronger.’
So
this the film is not just very popular western pop culture but rather one that gives
graphic support to the ideas of those existential philosophers we seek to
understand.
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