Michael Thompson Frank Capra's It's a wonderful life stands on it's own as a classic film with a timeless message.Marlo Thomas whom I have never seen before, turns in a superb and dedicated performance in James Stewart's role.This movie reverses the original roles taken by Donna Reed and James Stewart.This movie does not have the warmth of the original, or the characterization of the original.It is solely the acting of Mario Thomas that makes this version stand out on it's own.

Star DeLaRosa I Loved this show and have been trying to find it for such a long time. I am still searching for it so if anyone knows where I can get it from please let me know. Thanks. I recommend this show for a good family Christmas movie to sit down and watch after Christmas dinner before sending the kids to bed to wait for Santa to come. :) This show has a heartfelt meaning and really makes you realize the good things in life and that the bad things are really not that bad once you realize the Love you have of your family and friends. Even when things look so bleak in life God always has a different plan for all of us in our lives. God Bless everyone..

seduffy I assume slamming "It's a Wonderful Life" is probably like knocking the book "A Christmas Carol"--both are sacred, no matter how sick people actually are of them (are the round-the- clock showings of "Wonderful" really necessary?). I'm another one who saw this remake first, and then attempted to watch the original. I suspect that 1930s-era film may be one of the most difficult periods for modern audiences to appreciate. I found the original "It's a Wonderful Life" impossible to watch--saccharine and sappy in the extreme. The characters in the remake were much more believable, and to me this was a very successful update. The pain of both the main characters--Rogers' character, returning from WWII with a permanent injury, and Thomas' lead, who is trapped in a life she didn't plan for-- are quite realistic. Thomas seems *genuinely* suicidal; the causes of her depression are clear, and also, like a depressed person, she has become isolated from her family and is snapping at those around her. The premise of the original film, if you think about it, is quite serious; it has a kind of "Our Town" melancholy hanging over it, but this seems lost amid layers of hoke in the very dated original. I haven't seen "It Happened One Christmas" in years, and keep hoping in vain that it will be re-released, or at least shown at Christmastime.

chazzer3332000 My view of this remake of It's a Wonderful Life is that it was wonderful. Far from being a put-down of Ms. Thomas' talents, it showcased them as a positive tribute to the original movie. She struggles, and makes you believe.This struggle of a person who wants to find a way out of what she sees as a pointless life is only sparked by Cloris Leachman as the Angel. Like the many remakes of A Christmas Carol, this story is timeless and deserves any remakes that capture the original spirit. Brava, Ms. Thomas, I would strongly recommend this remake.If I can buy this movie, I will.