As the holidays creep closer and closer, an annual tradition in my family is to watch the Christmas classic, “Home Alone”. Released Nov. 16, 1990, directed by Chris Columbus and written by John Hughes, it is a cinematic masterpiece. Macaulay Culkin’s deadpan delivery as Kevin McCallister is hilarious and the cinematography is well done. The soundtrack, composed by John Williams, is one of my favorites because it adds so much atmosphere to the movie. According to The Numbers, the budget for the film was $15 million, and in the opening week they made a little over $17 million.
The movie begins with Kevin’s family running around, trying to get ready to leave the next morning to visit extended family in France. While everyone is busy packing their belongings, 8-year-old Kevin causes a huge commotion. Kevin gets sent upstairs to the attic and wishes to his mom, played by Catherine O’Hara, that he would wake up and have no family, so he could enjoy the holidays all alone. The power goes out during the night and none of the family’s alarms go off in the morning. Everyone is rushing around so that they don’t miss their plane, and, in the end, they forget Kevin at home. He wakes up to his whole family gone and realizes his wish came true. Over the course of the film, a pair of con men, played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, target the McCallister’s neighborhood and plan to rob their house. Kevin plots to defend his territory, and during this he comes to the realization that he wants his family back.
During the movie, it becomes obvious that Kevin misses his mom. The viewer feels like they are right there beside him, wanting to comfort him. There is an amazing scene when Kevin’s mom returns to the house after a long and tiring trip and she sees that Kevin decorated and left cookies out for Santa. As Kevin runs down the stairs excitedly on Christmas morning, his mom sees him and realizes that he is safe. It is a really touching and heartfelt scene that makes me cry every single time.
This movie is a touching story about familial love, friendship and the importance of standing up for what’s right. When Kevin protects his house, it’s a metaphor for him protecting his family. He feels bad for wishing that his family would disappear and deeply regrets it, so he does all he can to try and make it right. He even goes to “Santa” to wish for his family back.
“Home Alone” has always been a favorite of mine because even at a young age, I was rooting for Kevin when he was guarding his house and was feeling sad alongside him when he was missing his family. Through the amazing soundtrack, message, performance from Culkin and incredible set design, it comes together to make an outstanding film.
I rate this movie 5/5.
