George's downfall is portrayed in a too sudden fashion, that is a weakness in the film (one of my all time favorites). I would forgive Capra for that weakness, and attribute that to the constraints of 'film time'. If the downfall of George would have been portrayed in a more hard biting realistic fashion, the movie would have been extended by an hour or more.
Too quick?
His entire life he got the short end. Lost his hearing in one ear as a kid. Dad died forcing him to take over the business. Lost out on his honeymoon because of his work. Saw all his friends go off to riches, fortune, and fame while he got stuck in a town that he wanted to leave since he was a kid.
His entire life he was fighting against. Finally he gets a hand be can’t beat. He’s facing jail and the total destruction of his reputation. His wife and kids will be homeless pariahs. His life is ruined and be lost everything he fought to keep.
Yelling at his wife and kids and attempting suicide is a very realistic response. He fought longer than most men could bear.
Yeah, what this movie really needed was an extended scene with George in a bunker, pounding his fist on a table and raving "Fegelein, Fegelein!"
Regards,