It’s a Terrible Life #
December 21st, 2008 | In Worth Considering
Long a sucker for both well-written counterintuitive opinions and Frank Capra, I have mixed feelings about Wendell Jameson’s argument. His thesis:
“It’s a Wonderful Life” is a terrifying, asphyxiating story about growing up and relinquishing your dreams, of seeing your father driven to the grave before his time, of living among bitter, small-minded people. It is a story of being trapped, of compromising, of watching others move ahead and away, of becoming so filled with rage that you verbally abuse your children, their teacher and your oppressively perfect wife. It is also a nightmare account of an endless home renovation.