Christmas films come in all shapes and sizes. There’s the family film, the showstopper, the serial killer on plane and then there is Cary Grant, David Niven and Loretta Young being glorious in The Bishop’s Wife.
David Niven is the bishop, Henry, who is trying to build a cathedral and in his efforts is losing sight of what is important. He prays for help and an angel called Dudley arrives. Everyone loves Dudley, not just because he is Cary Grant, because he recognises what people need and helps them. Henry’s wife, Julia, adores Dudley (again he’s Cary Grant) and Henry gets jealous. To Henry, Dudley is a disruptive and destructive force. The conflict between them pushes Henry to focus on what is truly important.
It is a beautiful film. While It’s A Wonderful Life deservedly gets so much attention this is quieter and smaller but the crisis of faith that Henry, and Dudley, feel are just as heartfelt. David Niven’s performance is brilliant. He is often dismissed as a mere raconteur, you but feel the desperation, conflict and exhaustion Henry is going through. He is not portrayed as a pompous, short-sighted, jealous husband but a man of family and faith trying to balance the needs of all and losing himself in the process.
It will give you a warm glow, the fizzy feeling and increase the festive love.