These are a dime a dozen, aren't they? ...

"Jump, George, Jump! Bedford Falls was far from a Wonderful Life" - New York Post, 11/25/07.

Of course Potter is perfect. He's the Oncler, of a kind. I mean, completely rational but somehow not fully human. A Pharisee who tithes mint and rue (Matt. 23:23).

"because even suicide looks pretty good compared to upstate New York."

Ain't it the truth?

"All Hail Pottersville!" - Salon.com, 12/22/01:

But if he'd [George] hung out for a while, had a few drinks in the Indian Club, dropped a couple dimes in the dance hall, maybe checked out the action at the burlesque, he would have gotten a whole new take on the situation.

---

"It's A Destructive Life" - Patrick Deneen, What I Saw in America, 12/23/07:

It is especially worth noting the significant role of the front porch in the course of the film. Numerous scenes take place in the intermediate space between home and street.

I can think of only two scenes, well, two and a half, if you count Harry's wedding party photograph: after the graduating party when George is encouraged to kiss Mary and the Martini's housewarming presentation. Deneen's piece received plenty of fair criticism; it's the weakest one I've read.

As I watched the final hour on Christmas afternoon, Jeff muttered from across the room, "Subprime mortgages!"