“Love Actually” What is the unknown decision made behind the scenes of this masterpiece of Christmas ensemble drama?

What is the most famous "Christmas + Angel" movie of all time?

Although "Love Actually" avoids bringing up angels and miracles at Christmas, there are of course many works in history that naturally bring these things to escape the darkness and have a glamorous happy ending. So what is the most famous work in history that uses the setting of "Christmas = angel"? I thought about it for just two seconds and the answer came to me. It is undoubtedly the masterpiece "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946) directed by Frank Capra.

In America, this film is loved by all generations as a seasonal feature that is always aired on TV during the Christmas season. The main character, George (James Stewart), is a fundamentally good person who continues to do his best for his town and his family. After facing the biggest crisis of his life, he decides he can't take it and prepares to jump off a bridge. However, a wingless second-class angel named Clarence (Henry Travers) appears. By showing the main character a glimpse of "a world in which he was never born," he helps him realize the meaning of his existence and dissuades him from dying. The film then flows into a deeply moving climax.

The angel's good-natured expression brings an indescribable smile to this film. However, what's interesting is that the angel never brings about a "huge miracle"; he only stops George from committing suicide. The final "conclusion" can be said to be something that each and every resident of the town accomplished based on their own will, in response to the appeal of their beloved wife. This is truly moving, and it can also be said to be extremely American in the sense that one's own actions bring about results. Oh, I urge you to see the whole story for yourself. I guarantee that you will be deeply moved by the sight of people showing their sincerity to each other.

As we have seen, both "Love Actually" and "It's a Wonderful Life" have in common that they are not "cheap sales of miracles." The depictions that seem to affirm the casual happiness of everyday life are much more realistic and may be easier to sympathize with people than God or Santa appearing in front of us. These are beloved works that make us realize and think about the small happiness around us, whether angels descend or not.

Text: USHIZU ATSUNOBU

Born in Nagasaki in 1977. When he was 3 years old, he saw ``Superman II'' with his father and became fascinated with movies. After The Graduate from Meiji University, he worked for a movie broadcasting channel and then became a movie writer. Currently, in addition to writing for Eiga.com, EYESCREAM, Real Sound Movie Club, etc., he also contributes to media press and theater programs.

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"Love Actually"

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