“It was a Wonderful Life” is the second eye-opening documentary I’ve seen this month. The first one, “Death: A Love Story” reminded me of my mortality (you can catch that review elsewhere on this site), while this one made me take stock in planning not just for my financial future, but for tomorrow… literally. I’ve always been uncomfortable with the thought that if I lost my job tomorrow I would be just one paycheck away from being homeless. Regardless of my skills, I realize that good jobs are still a bit scarce in today’s economy. And unfortunately, under our current leadership, it’s only going to get worse. Narrated by Jodie Foster, “It was a Wonderful Life” takes a hard look at six women who are homeless. They come from all manner of backgrounds; some were even affluent at one time. But now they find themselves out on the streets or living in cars.

They find work where they can and want nothing more than to pull themselves up out of the financial hole they are in. In some cases, their homeless state was not their fault. Illnesses that deplete savings or marriages gone wrong seem to top the list.

This documentary was produced back in 1992, and if it tells us anything, it’s that the homeless situation has not only been here a long time and will probably not go away anytime soon. Every day when I walk to my car after a hard day’s work, I see members of the homeless community wandering about. Most of them are pretty quiet and don’t approach anyone for handouts. And every single day that I seem them, I am tempted to stop and offer up some conversation. I think to myself they might enjoy the fact that someone acknowledges their existence, and perhaps I can learn from their experience. But unfortunately I never do. I’m not even sure what stops me. I keep telling myself it’s because I need to keep moving in order to pick up my wife from work on time, but I think it’s more than that. I think deep down I’m afraid. And I don’t mean afraid of being hurt, but more so afraid of facing what could be my future. How very short-sighted of me.

Watching this documentary I‘m also reminded that we live in one of the most affluent countries in the world, and the very thought that we even have homeless people is outrageous. We as a nation often bend over backwards to help out other countries, and that is commendable, but charity begins at home. Until we solve the problems we have here, we have no business sending aid elsewhere. The number of homeless people in the U.S. is in the millions, and though I will admit the existence of a few lazy people out there only looking for a handout, the great majority are victims of a failing economy brought on by an out of control government, and ultra-greedy corporate executives. Keep in mind I’m not against these bigwigs making their big money, but when they instigate layoffs for no other reason than to line their own pockets, that my friend, is a crime.

Getting off my soap box, “It was a Wonderful Life” is a fascinating film. It runs just under an hour and a half, and looking at these women’s lives is at times heartbreaking. The DVD release doesn’t have any extra features, which I was kind of disappointed by. Considering how much we were allowed to see of the subject’s lives, I would give anything to know how they were doing now, 12 years later. I actually found myself concerned for their well-being, and though I’m sure knowing would probably be depressing, I’d like to think that at least one or two of them found the way out.

Directed by: Michele O’Hayon
Narrated by: Jodie Foster
Extras: None
Specifications: Full Screen
Studio: Docurama
Release Date: 2/24/2004
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give It Was a Wonderful Life a B.