REVIEW: Home Alone (Released in 1990) [30th Anniversary]

DIRECTOR: Chris Columbus

PRODUCER/WRITER: John Hughes

PERFORMERS: Macaulay Culkin Joe Pesci Daniel Stern Roberts Blossom John Heard

and Catherine O'Hara Special Apperance by John Candy

For many years there were films that when released in the holidays between the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, especially those that took place during those two, that were played and somehow struck a chord with everyone and never seemed to let go nor die. This film is one of them. In the past you had films like It's A Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, Meet Me in St. Louis and who could forget the immortal A Christmas Story? But then in 1990, writer and producer John Hughes decided to take his creativity to the next level and give us another memorable holiday gem, one that would go on to become one of the most watched and beloved holiday classics ever made. Home Alone is not just a classic, it's one of those things that comes and never leaves you.

Home Alone was every kid's fantasy: a house all to yourself, no adult supervision, you make your own rules and no one to answer to except you. But then reality starts to kick in when problems arise and the effects begin to wear off and things change. Carrying the film at only 8 years of age is Macaulay Culkin himself! As the main character Kevin McCallister, the story is seen and told from his point of view. After being reprimanded to his room in the upstairs attic, Culkin wishes for his family to go away and the next morning they do. Then he wakes up to an empty house with no one there but him. Now to a child that would seem magical, but to an adult it's the opposite. His family in a way does leave, but it's because they leave in a hurry to catch their plane to Paris... without Culkin in company because they left him home overnight! As the film progresses you watch him grow and evolve from being a self-absorbed to a more humble and appreciative young man that he becomes once he learns the true meaning of family as well as Christmas itself (EXODUS 20:12 NIV). His performance throughout the entire film is what keeps us glued to the screen and hooked to the story. Once he's by himself, you would root for him, yet fear for him and you would think that if you were in his position, faced with the same situation he was in you would either do what he did or something entirely different. If you saw this film at the time of it's release you must remember what that time period was like. At every corner on the street, there he was with his screaming expression with both hands attached to his face.

What I liked most about this film is watching a kid, as young as he was, evolve from a trouble-making youngster to a humble youngster and the importance of family when it comes to the things we want for ourselves and the things we need whether we want them or not. Perhaps two other people strike me as well: Kevin's mother played by Catherine O'Hara and his mysterious next door neighbor played by the late Roberts Blossom, mainly because of the change they go through during the film once the plot thickens. O'Hara is stern but well meaning, unlike the rest of the McCallister family members, but it isn't until she realizes her youngest son is left abandoned at home that she gradually changes into this determined mother who will give anything to get to him. Then there's the Blossom character who turns out to be less than what we as an audience perceive him as. The one scene however that gets me every time is when Culkin's character is walking down the neighborhood one night and he sees this other family gathering and while it's clear that they look happy, Culkin is looking on with great sadness as he realizes the error of his ways and that wishing away his family was a mistake, causing him to miss them greatly, even today still brings tears to my eyes. That scene alone proves that this was more than just a slapstick comedy, it was a touching comedy with a heartfelt message that applies to every family out there even in today's times.

The comedic aspect of this film is also something we all remember very fondly, from the video pranks to the climatic scene with Culkin and the bad guys you're laughing so hard you can't even breathe! Every time I watch this film I have that same experience, especially when Culkin makes his stand against Pesci and Stern. Honestly, the chemistry between those two guys is what makes the comedy side of this film work, the timing, the way they play off each other as well as work together makes it all the more worth while. Sure Pesci is supposed to be someone you fear and tremble at and Stern is this lighthearted guy with a certain reluctance at certain things but their characters are a representation of the world's darker qualities when one is left vulnerable and defenseless, thus proving one thing: without your family and their love, you have nothing to protect you from what can potentially harm you (ROMANS 12:9 NIV). Even forgiveness plays a vital part in this film's story, as O'Hara strives to get back to her son she almost condemns herself for this horrific mistake she's made and learns to forgive herself for it whereas Culkin, in the end, does as well despite showing little resentment towards his mother for leaving him behind (COLOSSIANS 3:13 NIV). Director Chris Columbus and producer/writer John Hughes make a great duo for this kind of film, you just can't imagine anyone else doing this other than them. They are the reason this film is the way it was then and still is today 30 years later.

This film did so much more than entertain, it made holiday film history by becoming one of the biggest top grossing Christmas films of all time. The reason for that is because it made people laugh, made people feel and even cry. For the longest time I have had a long standing tradition to watch this film every single Christmas holiday, which I'm sure everyone has, and every viewing never gets old. Whether your young or old, it's films like Home Alone that somehow gets to you and never feels out of place. Filmmaker Robert Zemeckis once said that "Pain is temporary, film is forever" and there's a reason that statement still rings true. Because film stands the test of time and never wears out, while we all eventually grow old and weary, film never does and retains that youthfulness we all had when it was shot and that's why it's such a popular thing. This film was captured in a moment in time when holidays and families were a big deal to everyone and in doing so, created a legacy of laughs and holiday cheer at a level never before caught in the years since. A sequel followed two years later as well as others as time went on, but none of them has ever came close to having that same magic and effect that this one had. As always, I look forward to watching this film again come December although this was released in November a week and a half before Thanksgiving. And for those who have never seen this before or are just looking for a good film with good laughs and good moments during Christmas... This is a MUST and a keeper! Happy 30th Anniversary to Home Alone and remember, your family is very vital to your place in this world and time.

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