The Light Of The Moon

The Light of the Moon

Life is a paradox of ice-covered bridges and brilliant stars. Each day is a new crossroads of opportunity, a new doorway to the unknown. Yet to the discouraged individual the morning sun is but a distant dream that will never achieve its wings of flight and settle peacefully in its lofty domain. In Frank Capra's classic film It's A Wonderful Life¬, the consequences of life's complex choices are revealed as one George Bailey relinquishes his ambitions to salvage those of his friends'. As the dreams of discovery are sacrificed, the dust in the unopened suitcase torments the explorer's soul. And though the recipients of the assistance may be thankful, fulfillment will be impossible whilst the visions of unclaimed stars eat away at the heart.

As George slides down the hill of childhood onto the frozen lake of maturity, he makes the choice to leap into the freezing pond of altruism, willingly giving up his safety to rescue his younger brother. Following George down the slope, the camera's concentration alerts the viewers that they will be embarking on a journey into the depths of this young boy's life. Yet as the camera angle shifts, looking down on George's heroic deed, the viewer is notified that events of the moment occur in a time below and before the present. Skidding across the ice with George, the viewer is, in effect, able to see through George's eyes, which focus unwaveringly on his little brother's arms flailing helplessly ahead. But as he courageously enters the cruel waters, the resilient voice of the narrator, the omniscient God, drowns out the cries of the past, calming the viewers' anxieties by commenting on the security of the boys, yet emphasizing the loss of hearing that George contracts as a result of his selfless act.

Hearing, however, is not the only attribute that George forfeits to support his fellow man. For as the twenty-three-year-old George is about to escape the chains of his father's building and loans business and satisfy his desire to explore the world, the silent pleas of his Uncle Billy pull him into the monotonous labor he has worked so hard to avoid. In the act following the sudden death of George's father, the dark conference room of somber men discussing the fate of the loans company provides a gloomy setting that highlights the gravity of the situation. Centering on the wealthy town tyrant, Mr. Potter, who is positioned at the head of the table, the camera angle emphasizes Potter's importance and influence on the matter. As the camera angle shifts over Mr. Potter's shoulders and down toward George and rest of the bankers, the superiority of Mr. Potter over George and his associates is confirmed. Yet when George literally stands up to Potter, putting his own reputation on the line to support his father's actions, the camera focuses primarily on George, standing between his father's picture on the right and the closed door on his left. This arrangement indicates that George must choose between his father's legacy and the gateway of his coveted aspirations. Drifting to the right, the lens encircles the picture, almost sparkling in the light. Accordingly, George trades his European adventure for a