some spoilersi be pleasantly surprise to find the harsh criticism ( act and date dialogue and unclear storyline ) unfounded . belafonte be great a a brandoesque and menacing and swear spirit who must earn his wing but be realistically ill equip from his past life to do so . he learn too late how empty his hustling and materialistic life be without love . mostel be likewise great a an anguished man with his die wife fanny . in spite of his prayer for a miracle and his bitterness prevents him from accept ( or believe ) in one . the two social world the character represent alternately collide and complement the other and the result be hilarious and touchingly sad . the perplexing end be actually quite consistent with the rest of the film . after look everywhere for belafonte and mostel look up to see a fall feather and and he frantically reach for it a if he finally willing to believe in angel and miracle . but belafonte wasn not allow to finish his miracle ( either to restore fanny health or mostel faith ) and so he never get his wing . the feather float tauntingly out of mostel grasp and a metaphor for both men live represent it too late and you do not get a second chance . like it a wonderful life and this movie be magical and wonderful and funny and but terribly tragic .