Mr. Potter is a remarkably detailed description of the Deep State: ancient, psychopathic, greedy, cold, evil, and uncaring. He uses financial as well as psychological manipulation to try to convince George Bailey to work for him, and then tries to crush him when the opportunity arises. There's even a scene when Potter declines a call from a congressman because he's busy.
George Bailey is the normie who undergoes his own Awakening: a thoroughly decent man whose acts positively impact many around him and constantly battles Potter. He becomes angry, depressed, and suicidal when he's exhausted by the constant efforts to improve his life that never lines up with his dreams. When meeting Clarence, he frequently challenges Clarence's assertions, not just about being an angel, but helping him understand how he needs to change his perception of his own reality, and even gets a chance to see an alternative timeline.
Clarence is the Anon who brings him back from the brink: quirky and imperfect, but determined to do his job despite all the challenges he faces in trying to change George Bailey's mind, and is awarded with wings and gratitude for succeeding.
The film is an incredible red pill. In retrospect, It's remarkable that this film (along with Mr. Smith Goes To Washington) ever got made.
Lionel Barrymore was Drew's granduncle, the brother of her grandfather John (her father, John's, father).
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