[Opinionated Blowhard]

Was there any doubt that a NYT columnist would see “Its a Wonderful Life” as anything other than an oppressive representation of that Liberal Great White Whale, the pre-1968, middle-class America? I could have written the rest myself after he talked about the “oppressively perfect wife.” A, yes, a juvenile rant against Middle America wouldn't be complete without the Stepford Wife reference.

I'll tell you what's pitiful, dreadful and stifling: a rigidly-enforced cultural narrative in which everyone is desperate to escape the religion of the small town for the booze and hookers of the big city (Potterville in this column). Grow up, Wendell.

[Cheesel]

George Bailey, being a white guy running a small business, was obviously an oppressor. He deserved a miserable life </sarc off>.

I love this movie and also hate it. I hate because everytime I hear Harry say “To my big brother George, the richest man in town,” I always start sobbing.