Replace Clarence the angel with football, and you have "Touchback." Except instead of all the good qualities that motivate George Bailey to time and again sacrifice his plans for fame and fortune, you're left with a has-been quarterback who blames everyone but himself for his series of misfortunes since his crippling last high school football game.
Consider George Bailey of "It's a Wonderful Life." He can't wait to leave his hick hometown for a successful career in the city. Yet, at every opportunity, he instead selflessly chooses to sacrifice his plans in order to come to the aid of his neighbors and the town itself. Years go by. He never gets to leave Bedford Falls, and slowly grows bitter. When his life hits rock bottom, he opts for suicide. At the last instant, he gains new perspective and finally appreciates how his life turned out, despite his long-gone grandiose plans. As he makes this realization, the entire town turns out to help him in his time of need.
Enter Scott Murphy of "Touchback." He can't wait to leave his hick hometown for a successful career as a quarterback. But when he sustains a crippling injury in a high school football game, it derails his far- fetched plans of one day playing for the NFL. Years go by. He never gets to leave Coldwater, and slowly grows bitter. When he finds himself at rock bottom, he opts for suicide. At the last instant, he gains new perspective and finally appreciates how his life turned out, despite his long-gone grandiose plans. As he makes this realization, the entire town turns out to help him in his time of need.
The difference is, Scott Murphy's only great dilemma in life is whether to choose a successful football career or a successful marriage. Either decision enriches his personal life, so it's really not much of a sacrifice, and doesn't garner much sympathy from the audience. Sure, he could have more money as a professional football player, but when the alternative is sticking with the future mother of his children, it's really not much of a choice. Furthermore, neither decision is for the benefit of the town or its people. Whatever he chooses, it's motivated by selfishness. Scott Murphy is all about Scott Murphy.
Whereas George Bailey's livelihood is repeatedly hindered by his self- sacrifice for the sake of his neighbors, Scott Murphy's own series of poor life choices keep him struggling to support his family. The only plan he ever had in life was to play football. The only act of kindness he ever visits upon his friends is dropping them off unceremoniously at their houses as a designated driver.
So, between the two protagonists, George Bailey is hands down the more generous, morally upright individual. Scott Murphy is just a bitter, poor bean farmer who can't stop reliving his final high school game.
Consider George Bailey of "It's a Wonderful Life." He can't wait to leave his hick hometown for a successful career in the city. Yet, at every opportunity, he instead selflessly chooses to sacrifice his plans in order to come to the aid of his neighbors and the town itself. Years go by. He never gets to leave Bedford Falls, and slowly grows bitter. When his life hits rock bottom, he opts for suicide. At the last instant, he gains new perspective and finally appreciates how his life turned out, despite his long-gone grandiose plans. As he makes this realization, the entire town turns out to help him in his time of need.
Enter Scott Murphy of "Touchback." He can't wait to leave his hick hometown for a successful career as a quarterback. But when he sustains a crippling injury in a high school football game, it derails his far- fetched plans of one day playing for the NFL. Years go by. He never gets to leave Coldwater, and slowly grows bitter. When he finds himself at rock bottom, he opts for suicide. At the last instant, he gains new perspective and finally appreciates how his life turned out, despite his long-gone grandiose plans. As he makes this realization, the entire town turns out to help him in his time of need.
The difference is, Scott Murphy's only great dilemma in life is whether to choose a successful football career or a successful marriage. Either decision enriches his personal life, so it's really not much of a sacrifice, and doesn't garner much sympathy from the audience. Sure, he could have more money as a professional football player, but when the alternative is sticking with the future mother of his children, it's really not much of a choice. Furthermore, neither decision is for the benefit of the town or its people. Whatever he chooses, it's motivated by selfishness. Scott Murphy is all about Scott Murphy.
Whereas George Bailey's livelihood is repeatedly hindered by his self- sacrifice for the sake of his neighbors, Scott Murphy's own series of poor life choices keep him struggling to support his family. The only plan he ever had in life was to play football. The only act of kindness he ever visits upon his friends is dropping them off unceremoniously at their houses as a designated driver.
So, between the two protagonists, George Bailey is hands down the more generous, morally upright individual. Scott Murphy is just a bitter, poor bean farmer who can't stop reliving his final high school game.