The story is of a man named George Bailey, who spends his life living in Bedford Falls. He dreams of traveling, but can't to prevent the tycoon Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore) from overriding the city. All he has to prevent that is a small building, which provides loans. After his uncle loses $8,000, Potter hides it and warrants and arrest for George. He assumes his family would be better off without him, so he considers suicide. That is, until an angel named Clarence (Henry Travers) shows comes to help George.
As I said, Stewart gives one of the best performances he's ever given. Also Barrymore plays one of the best villains ever on screen, making you want to claw his eyes out every time you see him. The rest of the cast does an incredible job as well.
The story is a classic, Stewart is traditional Stewart, and Capra is traditional Capra. There isn't much to say about this movie, because everyone has already summed it up already. Sure, there are flaws, but they are so minor it's not even relevant. Be sure to bust this film out during the holidays, as It's a Wonderful Life receives a 4/4.