It's a Wonderful Life | Movie Reaction | First Time Watching

[@BruFlgPhx26]

Nikki successfully fighting off her feelings with jokes and sarcasm for 99% of the movie…and then breaking into tears in the last 5 minutes lol.

[@YouWillBeHappyOrElse]

Ah yes, another victim of the "real vulnerability is a sign of weakness" mentality. It's so terribly dishonest and self-defeating. I wish we could be done with it, once and for all.

[@anthonyhuaman2795]

@@YouWillBeHappyOrElse Woke. xd

[@movieatorfilms]

@@anthonyhuaman2795Sorry to hear about your micropenis.

[@planguy9575]

As is tradition.

[@jethro1963]

@@anthonyhuaman2795 Trump won, RIP Woke

[@woo545]

The "Crow" is actually "Jimmy the Raven." he's appeared in every single Frank Capra movie after 1938. He's also the "crow" that landed on Scarecrow in "The Wizard of Oz." He was trained to do a bunch of different tricks, like typing and opening letters. On set, when they called Jimmy, both Jimmy Stewart and Jimmy the Raven would respond.

[@jesusfernandezgarcia9449]

I am a big movie fan and I grew up with these movies, however I didn't know that about the crow. Very interesting. Thank you and Merry Christmas to all.

[@chadbennett7873]

Great post! He was also to show that Uncle Billy was a little eccentric. He had all kinds of animals, the squirrel, to indicate that he wasn't sserious enough to run the business. In the "George didn't live" part, he lost the business at the Stock Market crash and went "insane."

[@mokokawi]

That's cool 🎉

[@LCCWPresents]

That’s a fun fact thanks for Thebes facts

[@josephpaul4548]

That's something to crow about.

[@ozywhisper1601]

“Where’s the bell?” *bell rings* *Uncontrollable sobbing* New favorite channel!

[@lordjimbo2]

*"CLAHAHAHHARREENCEEEE!!"*

[@luckymario4196]

41:59 - BRUH, that got me laughing. What a perfect timing!🤣🤣🤣

[@stevehawes5018]

Don’t be too hard on George when he went to visit Mary. He’d just come to the realization that his dreams of traveling, going to school, and building big things were dead. It’s a really hard thing to lose your dreams after holding onto them so long. Most first time reactors miss that subtlety.

[@SliderFury1]

It's not subtle, people just don't understand things anymore 🤣

[@seanmcmurphy4744]

In the 1920s there was no birth control (except unreliable condoms), few jobs for women or daycare. When a man got married children and responsibilities came quickly. George can’t wander the world with Mary, he must have a steady job to support her and the kids

[@markc.7984]

Something I didn't pick up on until many watches later: when he's at home angry and upset, and he loses his temper and kicks some things over in the living room: what he kicks over is a table with a model bridge and other blueprints on it. All this time he was keeping his dream alive in a corner of the living room building models of all the big engineering projects he used to dream about, then that night he sees it and it hurts all the more, and in his fury he kicks it all down. I can personally relate to holding onto a dream for years and years, still hoping to make it real. That hit close to home, and it's amazing that they insert it without calling more attention to it.

[@thevaccinator666]

Never ever let go of those dreams. They're within reach, always.@@markc.7984

[@seanmcmurphy4744]

@@markc.7984 Yes, I love that. The best old directors, like Frank Capra, respected their audience's intelligence; they included many easter eggs for viewers to pick up on their own.

[@derekfnord]

"I don't know if I can post this. That was f***ing embarrassing!" Nikki, it hit you exactly the same way it's hit almost everyone who's ever seen this movie. 🙂

[@jesusfernandezgarcia9449]

Anyone who is not moved by this movie is suspicious.

[@SliderFury1]

​@@jesusfernandezgarcia9449 facts, it's like the Schindler's List no-cry rest.

[@havinghehs]

Exactly. This is the only acceptable reaction to the ending.

[@calebmorrow96]

Not the first person I've seen weep, but my goodness😂😂😂

[@lady4191]

Not really

[@farmerbill6855]

The beauty of it is now you get to watch this film every Christmas for the rest of your life. And cry every time. Its perfect.

[@mattfinleylive]

For me, it's when Mary shakes her head and backs away as Uncle Billy gives her credit for collecting the money. It's such a very real display of humility. *Great* acting.

[@thomaspalumbo6482]

Yes! Thank you for noticing that.

[@SliderFury1]

Amazing piece of acting, she's like "Oh no, no, I didn't do anything, really" and it's like LADY, YOU DID ALL THE THINGS! 😂

[@Cheepchipsable]

To distance herself from any legal repercussions🤣...

[@edp5886]

@@Cheepchipsable stop projecting - people were different back in the day.

[@RLviddy]

Capra made sure that a camera flashbulb lit Mary up, though. Humility but also a pop of light to say yep, she rallied the troops.

[@kccountrykid]

"Where's the bell?" What great timing. :)

[@Arfy900]

Your question at the end, “where’s the bell?” Was perfectly timed!

[@emilywolfe7319]

Technically, it's been Christmas the entire movie... The movie starts when people are praying for him... Clarence the Angel spends an hour learning about George, and then meets him in the bridge. In about halfway through, it's kind of funny how many times she's said she doesn't know how she feels about George, she goes back and forth, and that's KIND of the point. Nobody is perfect, we all have flaws. Really wondering how she'll feel by the end of the movie, and if she'll see why this is one of the best Christmas movies of all time.... Onward 🍿

[@emilywolfe7319]

She gets it 💖 Merry Christmas, You Guys 🎄🎁

[@washo2222]

Totally agree that It's A Wonderful Life IS one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time with A Christmas Story coming in 2rd and 1951s "Scrooge" (aka A Christmas Carol) taking 3rd. Originally, the screenplay was based on a short novelette by Phillip Van Doran called "The Greatest Gift" with the theme being the greatest gift of all is life.

[@DavidGowers]

That's exactly it, on repeat viewings you KNOW you love George but on first viewing you're never quite sure whether he's a good guy or a scoundrel.

[@Milleniumlance]

​@@washo2222 dont forget Diehard

[@washo2222]

@@Milleniumlance I will forget Die Hard.

[@alanpeterson4939]

I’m 68 years old. I’ve watched this hundreds of times over the past fifty years. I still cry at the end. Every, single, time.

[@Mallarkey]

You're lucky it's at the end. I'm usually gone by the "ear slapping", sometimes the "I'll love you til the day I die" and once I didn't even last past "please help daddy"! 😂

[@GregorioGrasselli1972]

I cry at every reaction video of this film.

[@Buskieboy]

"To my big brother, George. The RICHEST man in town." -cue the waterworks!

[@billolsen4360]

Frank Capra can always pull off happy tears, even to 2023 audiences in a 74-year-old film.

[@wordstowordlessthings]

i'm just noticing that the end quote 'no man is a failure who has friends' is an answer to what's planted early in the movie - potter calling george's father and uncle failures, george defending them, but then spending his entire life questioning whether potter was right. clarence sets him straight with that.

[@obienator]

Nikki being a blubbering mess at the end was the perfect Christmas present. Thank you guys!

[@stargazer1682]

And just the switch from "augh, these kids and his wife should hate him. Why she clearing off the table....?" And then, boom...

[@RanmaSaotome121]

It's been my observation that many snarky, sarcastic or cynical people (and I include myself in the last group) turn out to be the softest, gooiest people on the inside, especially when hit with a good feel-good story.

[@El_Bueno]

We all break down at the ending.

[@HonRevPTB]

I AGREE, THAT WAS THE BEST!!!!!!!

[@dennisquinn8558]

That was the best reaction I've seen to this movie: Denying "it's a wonderful life" until the last possible moment, and then breaking down 😂. We all knew you would. No one survives this movie 😅.

[@Dej24601]

The eccentricity of Uncle Billy, with his forgetfulness (which is why he always had strings on his fingers to remind him of important things), his association with a wide assortment of wild animals and his drinking all are present throughout the story but not really discussed in dialogue except for the comment by Ma Bailey about him being in an insane asylum in the alternate reality. George and his influence and keeping the business going, and keeping Uncle Billy employed, is what prevented Uncle Billy from seriously losing his mind. Films from previous decades often did not explain every aspect or detail, but let the audience figure things out for themselves. Audiences expected to bring their own knowledge and experience to films and didn’t expect the film to have to tell them everything.

[@louismarzullo1190]

Uncle Billy also a relatively young widower who obviously loved his wife (Laura) very much, probably contributing to his alcoholism. Could also be early dementia at work (poor memory, short attention span, etc.). No kids, so all the animals for companionship. Doubtful he had so many pets when Laura was alive!

[@larky368]

Is this a problem with all youth now? Where is their attention span? Where is their ability to extrapolate facts without having them laid out in front of them?

[@stargazer1682]

People also tend to take for grant how old Billy must be by the present in the movie. He was 56 when George's dad died, so he must have been in his 60s by the time George and Mary got married (it was after she came back from school), meaning he could have been in his late 60s or even 70s in the present.

[@bradleyd6000]

🤣😂 Expecting a modern audience to figure anything out just isn't going to happen (see reaction you just watched). They NEED the hand holding and hit you up side the head obviousness that modern movies have.

[@noodle_fc]

C'mon, are you serious? Everything Everywhere All at Once is packed with detail even as the storyline and visuals come at you 1,001 mph. The Spider-Verse films boast incredible background worldbuilding and subtle character development. The Menu does nothing _but_ demand the audience connect dots to understand the allegory. Denis Villenueve's and Guillermo del Toro's films have volumes of subtext. Donnie Darko, Memento, and Fight Club are prime examples from the turn of the millennium. Many people don't appreciate that *a reaction video is a performance.* Performing and observing simultaneously is a skill, and it's unfair to compare observations made _while performing_ to those made with undivided attention. Unusual details like a raven's unexplained presence represent an opportunity for reaction, and reacting in a fun, engaging way comes at a cost. The brainpower a passive audience might use to draw conclusions is instead channeled into entertaining the reactor's audience-US. I'd be very impressed if someone made a bunch of astute inferences while watching-and for the record I doubt if y'all came to your understanding in real time on your first viewing-, but I'm more _entertained_ seeing Nikki incredulous about an unexplained raven or theatrically lamenting that it's _still_ not Christmas yet. If you don't like it, maybe it's not so much a wholesale indictment of modern audiences so much as an indication that this particular performance isn't your cup of tea.

[@garytomblin3572]

This movie saved my life in 2010 and now I watch it every year!

[@flubblert]

I suspect it has saved many lives over the decades. They say that psychologists used to recommend it to depressed patients especially around this time of year.

[@edp5886]

Gary - you are needed in this world and you are loved. I am glad you are still here.

[@garytomblin3572]

@@edp5886 thank you! Have a Happy New Year!

[@jimhsfbay]

@@flubblertCheck out ‘Just Trust Ash’s reaction to this movie. They are right there with you on the long term impact of this film!

[@jimhsfbay]

@@mena94x3 No reactors wear their hearts on their sleeves more than those two! Glad you got to check it out. Since you listened to me once…….Ren ‘Hi Ren’. Trust me. Worth it. This performer is something different!

[@K9AF]

Nikki, you DIDN'T cry out of sadness. You cried for the JOY of everyone helping George.

[@johncampbell756]

Geirge being mean to Mary was the night his brother returned and he learned he wouldn't be going to college or travel anywhere. He just lost his future. The run on the bank was Black Friday, the beginning of the Great Depression in 1929.

[@seannovack3834]

This film has literally saved lives, starting with James Stewart, who was suffering from extreme PTSD from what he had experienced as a US Bomber pilot in WWII. He rose from Private to Full Bird Colonel in less than 5 years, and at the end of the war he had 17 Combat missions over Europe and was the group Operations Officer for his squadron. His orders were the ones that sent crews he knew to their deaths in a plane that had a nearly 5% mortality rate (that adds up fast!). After the war he remained in active reserve and was the first pilot to fly the B-52, in which he had 18 hours. This was the first film he did after the war, and the scenes you see where he is breaking down were quite real. In interviews decades later he talks about how veterans of the war would come to him and tell him that this film is what kept them from doing something very rash and stupid when the demons came to them at night.

[@raucousreg9064]

And Lionel Barrymore, who everyone hates (justifiably) in this movie, convinced him to make the film, despite his PTSD, effectively kickstarting Jimmy Stewart's career after the war.

[@joeblankenship377]

There was no way you were gonna make it through without crying. This movie gets me every time. I saw it for the first time a few years ago, expecting it to be sort of corny, not expecting to worry if George Bailey's gonna kill himself. Then at the end when everybody chips in to help, waterworks.

[@teastrainer3604]

You need a laugh now. Watch the Beavis and Butt-Head Christmas special, where Butt-Head's guardian angel shows him that everything would be better if he were never born.

[@newsguy5241]

@@teastrainer3604 --They also did this on "Married with Children." An angel (Sam Kinnison) shows Al Bundy what the world would be without him. As a twist--everyone is BETTER off without him!

[@gdiaz8827]

Time to have her try the Greene Mile Challenge

[@jasontaverner391]

Actually, George Bailey is about to become very rich after the War. The Federal Government passed the Veterans' Emergency Housing Act in 1946, throwing 2.1 billion dollars (equivalent of 32 billion today) at housing lenders and contractors to build low cost housing for returning veterans. And the 1944 GI Bill meant those veterans would be able to afford the houses.

[@glennwelsh9784]

This movie was directed by Frank Capra, whose films came to be known for the recurring theme of hopefulness and optimism overcoming the cynicism of a cruel and uncaring world. This became such a signature of his work that other films would be described as "Capra-esque" if they had similar themes.

[@bighuge1060]

There was also a great sense of community throughout his films. It Happened One Night had a wonderful scene where the travelers on the Night Bus from Florida to New York sang a song together and that sense of human community was wonderful. Even the Brewster sisters' relationship with the local police and the reverend next door added to Arsenic and Old Lace. I cringe at viewers who love Adam Sandler in Deeds and have never seen Capra's Mr. Deeds Goes To Town which totally outshines the Sandler remake on all counts, especially regarding the main character.

[@chadbennett7873]

His wonderful and emotional movies were also nicknamed "Capra-corn" by those who just didn't understand them as the masterpieces they were.

[@bighuge1060]

@@chadbennett7873 That's a lot like those who disliked The Quiet Man calling it "Blarney". In the end, you left both movies (Quiet Man and Capra's movies) feeling warm and happy. For me, if the characters and the situations are true, then no matter how "corny", the movie(s) work.

[@chadbennett7873]

@@bighuge1060 Couldn't agree more! I've always felt that only those who cannot create that type of art feel the need to disparage it.

[@Albemarle7]

@@chadbennett7873 So many movies of that era were Feel Good expeiences. So much of movies was telling ordinary folks that they matter, even without fame wealth or super powers. Too many modern movies are about being yelled at by karens.

[@toodlescae]

Jimmy Stewart (George Bailey) was 6'3" so he was definitely taller than most of the other actors. 😂 10:40 George was just teasing Mary. He wasn't being a dirtbag. 13:36 When Uncle Billy walked off and you hear all the crashing a stage hand had dropped a bunch of props. The actor hollered "I'm all right. I'm all right" to cover so they didn't have to stop filming. When George goes to see Mary and things went sideways, George was still mentally fighting between leaving town or letting his brother take advantage of a better career.

[@firstenforemost]

"I was just joking" -- the dirtbag's excuse for harassment since 10,000 BC

[@JohnWilson-zh3il]

10:40 yes the first time I saw this clip I thought he was a jerk, but all the clues were there: he was smiling through it all, he never directly spoke to her until the end, thus not making her join in his speculation and humiliating her, and he respected her predicament by never looking directly at the bush or leering.

[@myjoy5115]

She guarded her feelings throughout the entire movie by making fun of almost every scene. However, it has a powerful ending, and, ...finally, there are the real emotions. 😊

[@Cheepchipsable]

Not really, it's very dated and melodrama is out of style, but most people get the end. The fact she though you could just pick up the phone to Europe and get through to whoever you want... It's easy to overlook a lot of the film due to the cultural differences. I'm not sure she got how badly George wanted to leave that town and explore the world, and the reason he resisted getting married because he knew it would be an almost unbreakable anchor to the town. You didn't just pick up and wander off. George would have been upper middle class due to his father's job and the fact they could afford an overseas holiday and to send someone to college. Auld Lang Syne is a very old song sung at New Year usually and will often bringing a tear to many people eyes, usually the older the person the more tears. It's basically about reflecting on the past before entering the new year.

[@TheRealdal]

@@lalareal180this is what comments are for. Jeez. Good and bad comments.

[@Music_Lover26]

​​@@Cheepchipsable Of course you are better informed than just about every movie and cultural critic that recognizes this movie as a masterpiece. The reactions of most people, (not this particular reactor) are heartfelt responses to the WHOLE movie, not just the ending, and they get it. Perhaps anything that isn't filled with car chases and explosions is "melodrama" and "dated" in your view.

[@rascalmatt6713]

@@Cheepchipsable Shitty, inaccurate take.

[@Alvin-1138]

@Cheepchipsable So what? It's dated, but that's just style, not substance. I realized watching this how some of the phrases change or are even cringey; yet the meaning hasn't drifted much. Melodrama is _not_ out of style, just look at (audience reactions)to Avengers Endgame. Watch a season of the Kardashians or the Bachelor🤔😃

[@victorsixtythree]

41:36 - The townspeople: "C'mon! George is in trouble! Everybody's meeting up at his house!" Bert the cop: "Okay! I'll get my accordion!"

[@Dej24601]

The goat was a bit of an in joke; director’s Capra last name means goat in Italian, and he was born of Italian immigrants and knew well the insults to Italians such as being called “garlic eaters.”

[@ammaleslie509]

Someone also says " get all the kids in the car" which adds to the joke

[@roybiggs7239]

The best part was your reaction when you let it all out. Kept thinking wait until she sees what happens when George comes back to reality.

[@shilohauraable]

When I was little my grandmother's neighbor, Mr. Howie, had a pet crow that talked! They were always together & I loved going over there to visit them. He & his wife were such a wonderful old couple. ❤

[@SuRoFo]

"Where's the bell?" This is probably the best reaction to this movie I've seen yet, just by how much she was half crying and half laughing by the end, and the guy just be hilariously entertained by her.

[@bigdream_dreambig]

27:28 "Is this man, like, Snow White, but a banker?" After all the hoopla about the crow, I was SOOO waiting for that squirrel! 😆

[@seanmonahan]

Me too! I couldn't wait to see what her reaction would be when the squirrel entered. It was perfect!

[@markc.7984]

Same! I always find that moment so touching, it's like the squirrel is trying to console him.

[@ninjabluefyre3815]

HOOPLA!

[@tayloryoung8336]

I love this film. Little Mary whispering into his ear at the soda fountain “George Bailey, I’m gonna love you for the rest of my life” is just priceless given how clueless he’s being. Btw, our dog is named George Bailey and he’s the best dog we’ve ever had.

[@planguy9575]

I love her little death glare when he talks about having a harem, like, "No you aren't!"

[@RiverPond11]

When George has the meltdown in front of his kids & seems like a "bad dad" that, to me, shows what an amazing dad he is. He has never acted that way before. When he yells, the kids & Mary are shocked and upset because that is something they've never seen him do before. If he was always like that it wouldn't have been such a big reaction. Mary immediately running to the phone because she KNOWS something is wrong, he was just so out of character. God I love this movie. I could talk about it forever.

[@tedcole9936]

“Telephones don’t work in Europe?” No, not in the 1940s. The first phone call from US to Europe via Telstar satellite was in 1962. It was a huge deal to my parents at the time. There was also a pop song about it. (An awesome track!) To me as a 9 year old kid at the time, it was not a big deal… it was the space age after all - we had already had 2 US astronauts who had orbited the earth. Phones were still primitive, though. When we picked up our phone, we might hear the lady across the street talking to somebody. That was called a “party line.” A shared phone number -we didn’t have a “private line” to our house until the mid-60s.

[@magnificenthonky]

I live in a rural area. Some folks around here still had party lines in the 80's. I reckon that they didn't much see the need to upgrade to a private line.

[@klb9142]

The Christmas you see at the end of the movie is the same Christmas at the beginning, it is the same day. The prayers you hear at the beginning begin when the daughter asks Mary if she should pray for her dad. It is implied that his friends pray for him after coming in contact with him that night, and when Mary tell everyone of the troubles and his behavior that evening. George puts everyone else first. He was not being a creep with Mary in the bush, he was joking with her. The scenes in Mary's house is him battling with himself about what he wants, and facing the fact the he is not going to get his lifelong dreams. With the way his life was going, and what Mary wanted meant that he would have to give up what he wanted. He was frustrated with his uncle over the money, because he would have taken the fall for him, evidenced by his conversation with Potter afterward. When he came home and took his anger out on everyone he was in the middle of a breakdown. He was slow to believe Clarence, because he had been drinking before and after meeting Clarence. He didn't trust his own judgement. It all hitting you at the end was hilarious. I can definitely say I have never seen a reaction quit like yours before. Back ending the story is definitely different. But the pacing of older movies is slower and dialogue. They did not have as much, nor did they rely on a lot of special effects to carry the stories.

[@DrVonChilla]

I've watched it every Christmas Eve for nearly 50 years and it NEVER fails to bring my tears of joy. ONE VIEWING ONLY per year. Believe me, young lady, the POWER of this film only grows with the passing of the years. Buckle up for a transforming experience every Christmastime for the rest of your life.

[@ChubbyChecker182]

Im 51, and i agree

[@gordonhaire9206]

I can't believe there are so many people who have never seen this film. I'm 81 years old. Beginning in the 1950s this played on TV every Xmas season. I remember seeing it in 1986 before moving off grid for 15 years.

[@sarahjoy1977]

My husband had never seen this movie when I married him, because he had always been bored with black and white movies. After I forced him to watch it on our first Christmas, we've watched it every year since, and it's one of his favorites.

[@timhoward4028]

As you live your life and age, and persevere over all types of hardships, this movie will mean more and more to you as the years go by. I hope you turn it on at least once at this time of year. Every year will provide greater appreciation. That's what this movie means to all of us.

[@j.woodbury412]

The director, Frank Capra didn't consider it a Christmas movie either. In fact, he once said he couldn't understand why so many people did consider it a Christmas movie.

[@davidbaker1363]

"Could I have $17.50?" -- Ellen Corby, later famed as Grandma Walton, improvised that line after Capra asked her to mix it up a bit.

[@Gtc8484]

Also- this becomes the 2 dollars they have left in order to stay in business.

[@James_Loveless]

The Crow Jimmy (often erroneously credited as Jimmy the Crow) was a raven actor who appeared in more than 1,000 feature films from the 1930s to the 1950s. He first appeared in You Can't Take It with You in 1938. Director Frank Capra would then cast the bird in every subsequent movie he made. Among his roles were Uncle Billy's pet, seen in the Building & Loan in It's a Wonderful Life (1946), and the crow that landed on the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz (1939). Jimmy belonged to Hollywood animal trainer Curly Twiford, who stole the bird from a nest in the Mojave Desert in 1934. Twiford trained Jimmy to do an assortment of tricks, such as typing and opening letters. He could even ride a tiny motorcycle. These talents would make him appealing to use in films. Jimmy could understand several hundred words, though only around 50 were what Twiford called "useful". It took Jimmy a week to learn a new useful word, two weeks if it had two syllables. Twiford said that Jimmy could perform any task possible for an 8-year-old child. His human co-stars were complimentary of the bird. "When they call Jimmy, we both answer," remarked Jimmy Stewart on the set of It's a Wonderful Life, noting that the raven "is the smartest actor on the set" requiring fewer re-takes than his human counterparts. After he had become more popular with the studio, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer had Jimmy insured for $10,000. Lloyd's of London wrote a policy to cover Jimmy's $500 a week fee as well as Curly Twiford's $200 handler fee, in the event Jimmy forgot any of the words he would need on the set. Twiford credited these fees with keeping him solvent during World War II. At one point, Jimmy had 21 "stand-ins", 15 of which were female, who would fill in for him when the scene did not require any tricks or movement. Jimmy received a Red Cross gold medal in acknowledgement of 200 hours spent entertaining veterans after the war, and his footprints were enshrined in cement at a large Los Angeles pet store, alongside those of Lassie and other Hollywood animal stars. Jimmy's last-credited film was 3 Ring Circus in 1954, after which little is known about him. Curly Twiford said that Jimmy would "probably live to be 150" years old, which the papers re-printed. In reality, ravens seldom live more than 30 years in captivity. Curly Twiford died on April 5, 1956, at the age of 60.

[@stevenvicijan4338]

Another emo'd moment for the youngsters. Still, it's an amazing synopsis.

[@isaackellogg3493]

RIP Jimmy, a great soul!

[@travishimebaugh8381]

Apparently the scene where Uncle Billy walks off camera and we hear the sound of crashing metal and "I'm alright, I'm alright!" was totally improvised; one of the crew actually did drop something by accident and Billy's actor thought fast to try and salvage the scene.

[@russb24]

You can see Stewart break character a little when it happens but it still works in the scene.

[@joegreene7619]

I'm essentially who George Bailey wanted to be. Left home immediately after college, travelled the world, lived in Hawaii twice, and now I'm finishing a PhD while still living 1500 miles away from where I grew up. No kids, not married, no interest in either one, nearly 50 years old, and yet every year I watch this movie and lose it a little more each time. When I started investing in physical media to own, this was the first movie I bought. It's just the perfect mix of elements that creates an enduring and endearing film.

[@patlauron]

The actor who played Potter was actually a nice guy in real life.

[@davidbaker1363]

Uncredited, the girl singing in Italian during George's prayer is Adriana Caselotti (1916-1997)who in 1936 voiced and sang Snow White for Disney.

[@cspaikido]

A genius of a movie not really revered or recognized until the 1970's by most. In fact the company that owned the rights let the copyright expire after 25 years and the movie became public domain. Very fitting as it would have taken less that $50 to renew the copyright. It's estimated this movie has made 20-30 million dollars in unrecognized profit since then, very appropriate considering the moral of the story free to everyone.

[@uclagymnastx-ing8146]

So glad you posted! I've never laughed at the end of this movie; but you had me laughing and crying along with you (usually I am just happily crying)- due to your reaction journey. The message in this movie is beautiful and I never tire of it. Merry Christmas!

[@yadaroni]

I think you need to rewatch this movie ASAP. George was a great man. Every time he acted out it was just after everything he dreamed about was stripped away. His actions were always to help people no matter what it cost him.

[@jonathanross149]

I really thought Nikki was going to make it. That punch after the prayer is usually a last straw, but it took the kindness payoff to break her.

[@thetestoftime]

Nikki Lu, you have proved yourself to be brave, truthful and unselfish. You will get your wings!

[@Tresham1]

Nikki's laugh-sobs give me LIFE, I swear. Amazing reaction as always!

[@reboss44]

Together with her partner’s chuckles…😂 💀

[@primemover1416]

"And what happened next, well in Whoville they say, Nikku Lu's heart, grew three sizes that day"

[@KevinandJalisaRoe]

Watching you explode at the end was quite literally the best part (although you are hilarious throughout). Thank you for keeping it in. I just wanted to let you know that your posts bring me a lot of joy. My wife passed away at the end of last year, and your humor, wit and innocence (at least when it comes to these movies) reminds me a lot of her. And husband’s giggles and comments are 100% me. It’s like I get to watch movies with her again and it fills my heart. Keep up the awesome work! Happy Holidays❤

[@hellonikkilu]

so sorry for your loss. we’re so glad you’re here 🖤

[@KevinandJalisaRoe]

@@hellonikkilu thank you for having me! ❤️

[@KevinandJalisaRoe]

@@robertrobertJ thank you, wishing you the best as well. ❤️

[@Grizzlox]

I find small parts of my mom in strangers I meet, in my brother and sister, in aunts and uncles, friends and family. I find her in my wife, and even in myself... Add all those little percentages up and I realize that 100% of my mom is still with me... all around me.

[@KevinandJalisaRoe]

@@Grizzlox beautifully said my friend. I feel that

[@GrimmReaper7165]

"Oh, that stupid song" 1 minute later "This song is so magical". I love your channel. Thank you.

[@josephciolino5493]

Not the same song!!!

[@GrimmReaper7165]

@josephciolino5493 uh, yeah it is.

[@josephciolino5493]

@@GrimmReaper7165 uh, try listening. first song is Hark, the Herald Angel Sings (what she was practicing, hence the annoyance) the second is Auld Lang Syne. Uh.... got it? D'uh.....

[@Pandaemoni]

I do think you were supposed to like George. He is an self-sacrificial character who was repeatedly taking it on the chin (or in his sore ear) and sacrificing his own dreams for the betterment of others. He does it because he feels it's right, but he's never really happy about it and it brings him no joy to do the right thing. His joyless sacrifices are therefore accompanied by periods of him being morose (most notably his unpleasant disposition at Mary's house after he realizes he can't let Harry take over the Building and Loan-and so George had to give up both his dreams of travel and college-and then his blowing up at his family after realizing that if someone's going to jail, it has to be him and not eccentric Uncle Billy.) The audience is meant to sympathize with him and feel his pain enough to understand why suicide seems like a rational option, and then the audience is supposed to also follow him in the realization of it really being a wonderful life.

[@rikk319]

Uncle Billy collected various animals after his wife died, to help his loneliness.

[@El_Bueno]

*Hee Haww!!! “Oh, this Fkn guy…”. I had to pause. I about lost it.

[@claycassin8437]

This is the greatest Christmas movie of all time(not even very close), and one of the greatest movies ever made, period!

[@petequesada2936]

I am so happy you were able to finally just enjoy the movie with all of it's quirkiness. Your reaction at the end really showed us you got the message loud and clear. Having watched this movie more times than I can count and reactions to it several times, yours has to be the most enjoyable movie ending reaction. I was overjoyed for you.

[@stonecoldku4161]

"How are we not addressing that man's pet crow?" So...do we want to show her The Shawshank Redemption or...? 😬

[@christophercurtis4131]

One of my favorite movies ever. That ending never fails to bring a tear to my eye. Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey and Donna Reed as Mary Hatch were both amazing in this movie. Jimmy Stewart is the only actor to ever reach the rank of Brigadier General as he stayed in the reserves after his service during World War Two. A couple of other amazing films of his are Mr. Smith Goes To Washington and Harvey. If you can find it on KZbin, there is a clip from The Tonight Show where Jimmy Stewart read a poem he wrote about a dog he had named Bo. The actor who played Potter, Lionel Barrymore, is from the same acting family as Drew Barrymore.

[@John-ws2zr]

Drew is Lionel Berrymore's granddaughter, I believe. And he was said to have been one of the nicest, kindest actors in Hollywood at the time

[@001Flange]

​@@John-ws2zrLionel Berrymore is Drew's grandfather's brother.

[@novusmundi]

There once was a dog name spot, or was he not. Johnny giggled. At the end, Johnny wiped away some tears.

[@joemaldonado9231]

This was a stand-up comedy, well, lie-down, actually, entirely about one film, with the comedian unexpectedly sobbing at the end.

[@custardflan]

There was a bike shop in my town called Zuzu's Pedals.

[@sam04019491]

“Sea urchin lady” Best line ever.

[@kellytrimble7019]

It’s okay honey. They used to show this every year at Christmas, for like 30yrs. And every time I see it, I cry too! 😂❤

[@dow311]

Uncle Billy is a innocent soul, animals know a kind person.

[@chumpzilla000]

Your outpouring of emotions was truly beautiful. Merry Christmas

[@JimAW63]

The scene where Uncle Billy took his hat(the middle one), then tripped over something off screen, was unscripted. A stage hand accidentally dropped some trays. Billy played it off so well, they kept it in.

[@DavidB-2268]

And the stage hand was given a bonus "for improving the picture".

[@davidstevenson1933]

Not an original observation but I think the key to this movie is that the bulk of the run time is spent getting to know George and so many other characters in great detail before Clarence even shows up. That is what makes the deus ex machina at the end so much more impactful. You feel an emotional connection and understanding with each of the secondary characters as they come to George's aid and it makes their generosity so much more meaningful (from Gower, to Ernie, to Annie, all the way down to the bank examiner and even the guy who insisted on getting all $242 out of the building and loan). You could imagine a version of this film where we only really get a brief glimpse of the secondary characters and the deus ex machina would just feel forced and contrived - the humanity drained out of it somewhat. Another thing I think the movie does well is that it doesn't really lampshade or call heavy attention to all of George's good deeds as it shows them. The film really does an excellent job of putting the audience in George's shoes where we (like George) tend to focus on the ways his dreams keep being thwarted rather than realizing the profound impact he is having on others even as we are watching it happen. A a result, I think on first viewing it doesn't occur to most viewers that the townsfolk would bail George out and so the deus ex machina comes as a bit of a surprise to the audience. Potter even calls out that option and George rejects it as unrealistic, but in retrospect it seems inevitable that of course the they would come together for George under these circumstances.

[@mrcapra]

Everyone forgets that the movie starts on Christmas Eve with everyone praying for George.

[@jonathanross149]

The angels said it would take an hour to tell George's story.

[@colleenmahony8803]

In all the reactions I've watched for this, people aren't paying attention to the years. 1919 Spanish Flu took out Mr. Gower's son. Grad party in 1928. What happened in 1929? The huge stock market crash. I'm in love with your reaction. ❤❤❤

[@saratemp790]

True. Spanish flu.

[@leosarmiento4823]

At 53, and like many others younger and older, I've seen this film countless times...and each time I find myself crying at the end of this Christmas classic. You're in good company.

[@Xehanort117]

If there was an oscar trophy to be given out for best film reaction, this one would win in a landslide! This is the most genuine reaction to the Capra-esque style of storytelling, and it is exactly how Frank Capra intended viewers to feel by the end of the film. This actually goes hand in hand with an iconic Jigsaw quote: "Most people are so ungrateful to be alive. But not you... not anymore."

[@mostvaluableproduction]

In answer to an early question. Jimmy Stewart was 6'3". The average man's height when this movie was made was 5'7"- 5'8", so he often looked like a giant on screen.

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

Actually, it was 5'9" when this picture came out. By the '80s it rose above 5'10", but is back down to 5'9" again today, due to all the latins and asians who've moved to the U.S. in recent decades.

[@mrbass617]

I am convinced that this is the best movie ever made and will never be topped.

[@thewizard6077]

You're tearful ending was so worth sitting through the other 40 something minutes. When you started crying at the end, it was just perfect. What an amazing movie. Always makes me think of my late mother and brother, who both loved this movie very much. You're commentary and observations during the movie were awesome, and like I said, the ending was worth the price of admission. I subscribed! Peace

[@757GLG]

42:59...mission accomplished. That confession through those tears was all I wanted to see. "Message" movies or any vehicle for delivering meaningful messages are the BEST. Doesn't matter how old or how new.

[@oscargill423]

Why anyone would tell anyone not to watch this film is completely lost on me.

[@algalle2]

Judging from how she was condescending this movie most of the time she was watching it, and finally losing it hard at the end is probably why she was told not to watch it. Maybe from people that know her, but that's just my guess anyway.

[@hellonikkilu]

my friends just know I cry easily 😂

[@algalle2]

@@hellonikkilu Haha. And there is nothing wrong with that. I enjoyed your reaction none to less. Thank you.

[@lancelittrell369]

By far, the best reactor to movies I have seen. My guess is this is the normal way she watches movies and the dude said we should put this on KZbin. Pure gold....

[@grahamsangster1042]

Mr Welsh after hearing his wife crying for over an hour went to the bar for a drink,that's a thoughtful husband 😂

[@StevesTubes]

You didn't cry from sadness. The much more rare crying from happiness...

[@LeisureTimeLarry]

That was, uh, something. "What is happening?" is right. LOL. Her: Uncontrollable sobbing Him: Laughing Me: I really think that I could be friends with these people.

[@Mark-vq9sy]

THAT was a great reaction video!!! "Clarence!!!" 😀 It really is a wonderful life!

[@mcbeezee2120]

I've never seen this movie's ending, better hit a person the way it's suppose to hit a person, than I saw it hit you. Thank you, ma'am, for the best Christmas season closing I've ever had. Such joy.

[@Soundhypno]

"Wheres the bell?" so many shorts at the end of this, so fun!

[@Challenger0428]

I like the way the magic cut through her picking apart the story at the end.

[@classiclife7204]

I had to come back after watching this yesterday, just to watch the last 10 minutes all over again. (I, like, NEVER do that.) This is truly one of the great reactions ever on KZbin. The laughing, crying, laughing because you're crying - the best I've seen. Also demonstrating that we don't need big intros or outros to these videos, either. Perfect. Subbed!

[@dearally4787]

It was not in the script for George Bailey to cry in the “prayer scene” at the bar. Director Frank Capra was surprised when Stewart broke down but didn’t do another take because it was so real. This is what J. Stewart said about that scene… “I remember when I read the first draft of the script, and that scene, the little prayer, affected me. When I did it in the movie it did, and it did the same to me right now. This is a theory that I’ve always had; creating moments in movies, this I think is the important thing. Nobody knows exactly how it happens. What you should do is to prepare yourself as best as you can to make these moments happen. Because in a movie it’s really not so much the performance, there are moments.”

[@shawnshawnmoviereviews]

I think he was reliving his PTSD from the war. Many, many soldiers will kill themselves after a war, guilt of living with all their friends dying in the war. You can see that as the crux of "Rambo" as well if you abstract this movie a lot. He goes back to see his ONLY remaining friend, gets abused by a corrupt small town police force, gets revenge and then reliquishes himself to being a good guy by turning himself in.

[@1htsht4u]

OMG that was the funniest reaction to this movie I've seen, maybe the funniest reaction I've ever seen!

[@philthemovieguy81]

Watching Nikki catch the Christmas spirit at the end was magical and brought Me to tears. Merry Christmas to you both!

[@toukie]

This movie was my dad's favorite. I watched it with him every single Christmas since I was a baby in 1976. When he passed in Feb 2003, I swore I would never watch it again. This passing had devasted me. Then Christmas time came around. And my 9 year old stepson, who'd known my dad all his life, came to the computer room one day and he said to come into the living room right now. When I got there, he looked at me and he said "come on, it's about to start". On the table there was a bowl of chips, a bowl of pop corn, Coca-Cola with ice, some gummy bears etc... Like there had been every year my entire life. That's when I heard the music. My heart broke and I opened my mouth to thank this boy for his nice gesture but I wasn't going to be able to watch it this year. Before I could say anything he sat on the couch and said "I think it's time I watched it to see why he liked it so much, even though it looks boring. Don't make me watch it alone." And the first time he heard a bell ring after he saw that movie, he smiled the biggest smile and told me "grandpa got his wings". This boy is 30 years old now. And every year he comes over with chips, pop corn, gummy bears and cokes. And we watch it together.

[@captainblack4364]

It's a Wonderful reaction!!! But really, the denouement of this film wouldn't work without all the setup, your very reaction at the end after the build up is a testament to the movie's structure and true test of its timelessness, thanks again for a great video!

[@oliverbrownlow5615]

You wouldn't think it would, but the first time I saw *It's a Wonderful Life,* I happened to see it only from the scene where George is drying out after having rescued Clarence, and it was still remarkably powerful.

[@ThomasGlynnJr]

I cry watching this movie every year. I raised my girls and we would watch this and White Christmas while decorating the tree every year. They are both grown now and on their own - but tell me they still watch this with their loved ones every Christmas...

[@hectorarrivillaga5090]

"It is a wonderful life!" lmao

[@GrumpyOldGuyPlaysGames]

Everybody cries at the end of "its a Wonderful Life." Everybody. No exceptions.

[@theshakyproject2971]

"Is he an angel, a ghost, or a genie?" ...Yes. :)

[@buzzfeng4365]

You are so impatient. It kept me laughing the whole time. It really funny when you switched from making fun of the movie to crying. You are hilarious.

[@paulcarfantan6688]

At 4:34 Nikki`s reaction: "Better taste it !!!", was freaking hilarious. This is a fun channel. 😂😂😂😂

[@j.a.d.vandoorn4597]

old classics. Cassablanca, 12 angry men, Psycho. None with action filled, but that's why they are great with everything else....

[@Rickhorse1]

I'm in my 70s & still searching for Mary Hatch...the true hero of the movie. 😉

[@kevinbowyer4639]

Thankyou for being you that was fantastic lol xxx