Speaking of suicide, this classic (classic!) starts off with George Bailey almost committing the same act. He's doing it, though, not because he's strung out like Jenny. He's doing it because he lost lots and lots of money, and feels pretty worthless. Enter the friendly angel Clarence. I'd go on, but we all know how this one turns out – with Bailey running down the streets wishing everyone well. And then, in the final scene, even though it's Christmas, the gathered community sings “Auld Lang Syne,” that New Year's Eve classic. Which is fitting, because this movie is all about new beginnings. It's about realizing you are worthwhile, sure, but it's even more about realizing that there is a light (always) at the end of the tunnel. It's about starting over, or starting again, or just starting, hence the movie's incorporation of the song, and hence the neat tie-in to New Year's.
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