Stewart delivers a powerhouse performance. One can tell that he relates to, or identifies with, George Bailey completely, and thus his reactions and responses seem incredibly instinctive and authentic. When he
melts down
later in the film, one may amazingly wonder, "Wow, where did that come from?" But on the other hand, Bailey's now manifest
darkness and bitterness
make total sense, for he had repressed those impulsesbriefly glimpsed on earlier occasionsfor so long.