MovieChat Forums > It's a Wonderful Life (1947) Discussion > Am I the only one who thinks this is lam...

Am I the only one who thinks this is lame and schmaltzy?

posted 4 years ago by Adam60z (3774)
16 replies | jump to latest

I mean, it has its moments, but all-time Christmas classic? Gimme a break! Heaven assigns an angel to save George and get his wings; not much beyond that. Except a bunch of ultra-schmaltzy scenes that are poorly written for a five year old. Rips off elements of Christmas Carol--a superior story. But scene after scene outdoes the previous one in lameness, schmaltz, and unbelievability.
Jimmy Stewart was the only thing that saved this turkey from being melted down for its chemical content. By the way, it was a big flop on initial release. Change my mind!
I consider the original Miracle on 34th St. to be the ultimate Christmas film.
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/its-a-wonderful-life-black-and-white-vs-color-versions-230414124.html

[–] strntz (12693) 4 years ago

Am I the only one who thinks this is lame and schmaltzy?

Certainly not! There are lots of dunderheads watching this movie.

[–] georgiapeach (14) 19 days ago

Tried to watch last year and turned it off at the school dance because of this. Decided to push through this year, after the wedding it got much better.

[–] GreenGoblinsOck8 (7803) 19 days ago

I like this movie and watch it only at Christmas but I can understand some people not thinking of it as a Christmas movie since only the first 2 minutes and the last 30 minutes of it take place at Christmas. Funnily enough Frank Capra who directed it did not intend for it to be a Christmas movie. It didn't get that status til years after it came out when TV stations started airing it around Christmas. Funnily enough my parents consider it the essential Christmas movie.

[–] JohnGrant (108) 17 days ago

Probably.