A harrowing but essential viewing of the movie. I think your wife's response ("Why not put the mug away") is a view that most of us would feel to be rational, but there's much more to the Capra / Riskin experience, and there's a dark side to the movie that most people would rather not acknowledge. In fact, most of Capra's films pivot around a dark night of the soul (often filmed in silhouette). That's why we watch them over and over, as opposed to the more positive and reassuring visions from Hollywood. (I haven't seen the film in years, but if I remember correctly, the corrupt banker gets away with it.)

Great writing, but I wouldn't have expected less from you.