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Friday 3 December 2021 InQuire
Entertainment
It's a Wonderful Life: All Time Greatest Xmas Film? By Harry Brown, Entertainment Writer
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hristmas is a very wonderful time for those who celebrate; There is a unification of family, food and cheer. And with every year we sit down with our families and watch Christmas films that include Santa, being swayed by the Christmas spirit or Die Hard (Home alone is in the third category). One Christmas film that has persisted through the decades into the hearts of families is Frank Capra’s 1946 classic It’s a Wonderful Life. In 2018, The Radio Times labelled It’s a Wonderful Images courtesy of NTA
Life as the favourite Christmas film of the Brits, and places top in many lists alike. The film follows the ‘Wonderful’ life of George Bailey, played by the ever-brilliant James Stewart. From when he was a child working in a chemist and sweet shop to becoming a family man as an adult. However, after one eventful Christmas Eve George ponders committing suicide. He is then saved by angel trying to earn his wings called Clarence, played by Henry Travers, when Clarence shows George Bailey what his life would be like if he didn’t exist. The typical supernatural Christmas theme we have been used to since Gabriel spoke to Mary. The film was not the popular giant it is now upon release. It just about made even, despite Frank Capra was considered box office gold at the time, and received mixed reviews with New York Times Critic, Bosely Crowther, saying ‘the weakness of this picture…is the sentimentality of it—its illusory concept of life’. However, many have argued since that the story presented in It’s a Wonderful Life is not one full to the brim with roses and smiles. It’s story features abuse, death and tragedy, a story I would argue not caught up in ‘sentimentality’ and to me this is what makes the theme of It’s a Wonderful Life perfect. The good actions of George Bailey happen
with no external interference. When you look at the most popular Christmas fable, Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, Scrooge is only a good and kind-hearted man after the interference of supernatural forces; I believe most people would change if a being shrouded in black cloth showed you your death. In other Christmas films the swaying of personality becomes most apparent at this point in the year as there is a rejuvenation of heart through the holiday spirit and characters, like how every deadbeat dad becomes a hero to their children. This is why George Bailey is so important and the themes of It’s a Wonderful Life so important, George Bailey i s constantly a good man
whose actions constantly have good outcomes. The film focuses on his inability to see those outcomes with only the last 40 minutes being set at Christmas and having supernatural elements. George goes through the death of his father and having to sacrifice his dreams of travelling to stop his father’s business falling into the hands of the despicable Mr Potter, played by Lionel Barrymore. This realistic sacrifice makes the audience relate to their own tragedy and sacrifice. From there we connect with him through the rest of the film as we can ourselves at time feel we have little impact on the world. George Bailey pushes through the hardships of life to better the lives of others, but no Ghosts visited him in the night to make him do it. He is an average man with a kind heart and has always been; his flaw is being blind to it’s effect. The personalised nature of the film and of George Bailey’s story of persistence of goodness over hardship makes it more relatable to viewers then other Christmas films. It's a Wonderful Life is available to stream on Amazon Prime, and to rent on Youtube, Google Play and Apple TV
Eternals: Atmospheric Action Divides Viewers By Rhona Lonergan, Film & Television Correspondent
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he newest Marvel movie is out, and the world can’t seem to decide if it’s one of the best Marvel movies, or one of the worst. It’s the marmite of the movie industry right now, you either love it or you hate it but just like Eternals’ mix of cinematic styles, I think the real truth lies somewhere in between two extremes. Eternals has all of the scale, scope and great action set pieces that have become expected norm for Marvel movies, but it also has the space and strikingly beautiful cinematography of an Oscar seeking prestige movie thanks to director Chloé Zhao (Nomadland). I suspect it is this mix of styles that is the cause of these extremely divergent opinions (ignoring those people hating on the film simply b e cause of its diverse cast). It may b e too much of a Marvel movie for some and not enough of one for others. Even as someone who likes both of those types of movies, the combination was a little jarring, and it took a little while to feel comfortable with the rhythm and pacing of the movie as well as the slightly different nature of the movie’s jokes. However, once the movie had done the heavy lifting of establishing its methods of storytelling
and a foundation for its characters, it was easy to get swept along for the ride. Introducing us to ten brand new characters at once and giving them all satisfying character motivations and development was never going to be easy or maybe even possible, its like trying to do an Avengers movie without any of the introductory movies (Dc, I see you) but Eternals gives it a good shot and even manages to partially succeed. There are some beautiful character moments and relationships explored particularly between Gilgamesh (Don Lee) and Thena (An- gelina Jolie), and Makkari (Lauren Ridloff)
and Druig (Barry Keoghan). My unexpected stars of the movie were Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani) and his human sidekick Karun (Harish Patel), whose comic moments were thankfully a well-kept secret unspoiled by the trailers. Each Eternals powers are also nicely showcased and balanced, disproving people’s worries that there would suddenly be ten more people in the MCU with unassailable god-like powers. One of Eternals biggest advantages is its disconnection from the rest of the current MCU. The main body of the movie felt completely disconnected from any bigger plan
and as such, the movie could really lean into some of its twists and establish real stakes with that uncertainty. Not everything works in this movie, some relationships never have the fire you feel they’re supposed to and Zhao’s lack of experience in filming epic action sequences definitely shows at points. The plot was pleasantly more complicated and emotional than expected but didn’t actually put any real effort into debating the complex moral question (what lengths should you go to for the sake of the greater good) that is at its core. The movie’s climax is definitely satisfying although some of this good will is then retracted thanks to the jolting post-climax sudden end of the movie. Overall, despite its problems, there is no doubt that this is a movie that is worth seeing for Marvel and non-Marvel fans alike. The key is to just sit back, enjoy the beautiful natural lighting, touching character relationships that are all the richer for the diversity of experiences present in the characters and let yourself be swept along at the pace that Eternals wants to take you, even if its not the pace you were expecting.
Images courtesy of Disney
Eternals is available in cinemas now