‘Wonderful life’ tops my Christmas movie list

 We watched our first holiday movie on Monday. “Christmas with the Kranks” got the nod as the opening night selection. 

It is funny and fast-moving from the beginning, then sweet and tender at the end, following the spirited message from the book “Skipping Christmas” by John Grisham.

My family has a time-tested list of favorites for our December movie nights — from “A Christmas Story” to “Elf” to “Home Alone’’ to “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.’’

We honor repeat performances of the classics, too, like “Miracle on 34th Street.’’ And there’s “White Christmas” —  in black-and-white, of course.

My wife and I have our usual debate on whether “Die Hard” qualifies as a Christmas movie. She says yes, as do some movie critics. I cast my controversial vote for “Edward Scissorhands.’’ This bothers her. No one of us ever wins this argument.

We might throw in a few cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies in our countdown mix. Most follow the same script, which may include any or all of the following:

Beautiful young lady from a small town. Prince Charming hunk of a guy. Chance meeting at a Christmas tree lot. Ice skating. Holding hands. Hot chocolate by the fireplace. Cute puppy. Jealous ex-boyfriend. Conflict. Resolution. Wedding bells.

We always agree on “It’s a Wonderful Life.’’ It’s a consensus choice, the undisputed champ. Watching it on Christmas Eve has been a Grisamore family tradition for more than 30 years.

The movie has been around for eight decades and has developed a cult following over the past 50 years. It is widely appreciated for its universal themes. Although the characters had to endure the hardships of war and the struggles of the Great Depression, it was an idyllic time. For the most part, people loved and supported their neighbors.

I have known Bob Welch for almost 20 years. He is a retired  newspaper columnist for the Register Guard in Eugene, Oregon. In 2012, he published a book called “52 Little Lessons from It’s a Wonderful Life.’’ I interviewed him when the book first came out, and he told me about how everybody longs for a town with a sense of community like Bedford Falls.

“If you have tough times, you would hope people would rally around you in the same way,’’ Welch said. “It’s very affirming and enlightening to see how deeply people feel about the movie. And not in a paper-thin sort of way, but in a way that resonates with the soul.’’

Most of us can identify and commiserate with the central character of George Bailey. We second-guess our lots in life and the bad hands that we are dealt. We dwell on roads not taken. We complain about drafty, old houses, stale relationships and dead-end jobs.

 George is a restless dreamer frustrated by the circumstances that prevent him from following his heart’s desire. His loyalty leads him to feel trapped, destined to remain behind to fight the “battle of Bedford Falls.” 

“It’s like the world’s view of success,’’ Welch said. “George Bailey thought you had to go out and get it. The lesson in the end is that your contentment and satisfaction might be right in your backyard. You don’t always notice those things if you’re always pining to go someplace else.’’

 It’s a lesson … and a reminder … for all of us.

 Oh, how I love this movie, especially at Christmas.