By Ermioni Pavlidou,
Merry Christmas! ‘Tis that time of the year! ‘Tis the “stay-in, cover-up in various blankets on the couch with hot coffee, chocolate or tea, and pop-corn, to rewatch the same movies for the ninth time” feeling, which has never seemed more appealing. Expect the same time last year. The Home Alone (1990, 1992) original duology depicts the exact feeling and idea that its main character, an eight-year-old kid, has of Christmas. Directed by Chris Columbus, the comedic and feel-good movies combine the fairy tale-y spirit of holidays and how beautifully – although a more grown-up interpretation would be “naively” and “with extreme idealization” — it is felt through the eyes of a discerningly clever and skilled child. So how did a franchise about Christmas manage to become the intertemporal cheesy movie choice for not only children, but also for adults, after so many years of its initial release?
Although introductions are not needed with these world-wide well-known movies, their plot and how the incidents of the two movies that are displayed play an important role in their popularity. Essentially, a little child becomes the hero of his own by trying to restore the Christmas he wished to have in a haste thought; whilst effectively defending his house, battling two, not as bright, burglars. The script is signed by one of the representatives of feel-good movies, John Hughes. Its beautiful soundtrack is guaranteed by the one and only John Williams.
The juvenile gaze that is designed and identifying for children in the audience, nevertheless unacquittable
Little Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) feels neglected in his big, classically American family in Chicago. So, in a childish rage fit, he wishes that his family would just disappear and is grounded to sleep alone in the attic. This results in him being left behind, home alone, — in the first movie — when his family rushes to get ready and catch their flight after an alarm clock malfunction. He lives the independent life he hoped for “I made my family disappear!”, eventually realizing he did not literally want his family gone, while also dealing with adult and self-preserving life, and a pair of very unlucky and never-learning “wet bandits” (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern).
In the second movie, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), history repeats itself, beginning with a family altercation and alarm failure, though this time Kevin makes it to the airport. He follows the “wrong brown coat” and does not board in the plane for the family vacation destination, which is Florida, but lands in New York City, where he enjoys a luxury stay in the Plaza Hotel and meets two old “pals”. Generally, another theme “do not judge a book by its cover” is also prominent through the two movies: his silent neighbor and the lady with the pigeons were prior to meeting them strange and scary to him but became his friends in the end.
The whole perspective of the movie has been centered around Kevin. A “child-centric” narration of a little kid that manages to fearlessly survive against handling adult things. He shops, does his laundry, checks into prestigious hotels, and defeats two determined adults in mischief. He is everything a little child wants to be when fighting with their parents and emphatically screams about their autonomy and independence. Kevin becomes the impersonation of kids’ fantasies that they are the heroes of their exciting and adventurous stories (executing “Plan ho-ho-ho”, and grappling with the harmless, yet seemingly vicious basement) and all that, on a “magical” period called Christmas!
Home Alone depicts things with the “PG children safety” on
Managing an adult and — in some cases — overly mature lifestyle while enjoying childish activities is not as easy as he imagined it to be. Throughout the — terrifically good — musically coated montages in New York City or house ruining and dreamy toy stores the feeling of some kind of unfair emptiness grows somewhat in him. The once exciting tone in his voice when he realizes that his family has magically “disappeared” is quickly replaced with remorseful miracle-like prayers and wishes to Santa to bring his family back “even Buzz”, as little Kevin says in the movie. Children identify with the strong and “rebellious” yet remaining a child’s desires (ice-cream, toys, Christmas trees) version of Kevin that lives up to — or at least approximates — the unrealistic “superhero” standards they have set for themselves.
Despite the sweet character of these movies, one cannot help but notice the unrealistic and controllably navigated continuance of the plot. As it was mentioned before, Kevin reacts to his family’s “disappearance” as one of the greatest things that has happened to him. His wish came true very quickly. This initial excitement could have been a similar case for many children in this situation, but the uncertainty of being left alone behind or the thoughts exploring the possibility of something bad actually happening to his family would instantly spark feelings of abandonment and fear.
The movies “go out of their way” for things to be set in the exact course they want to reach; an extremely rare occurrence in real life, especially in situations like these. Of course, it can additionally be argued that in these movies, serious issues that are depicted are dismissed in a sugar-coated manner. It delves into the equation of — mostly how it is celebrated in America — Christmas with consumerism and their sense associated with goodness and only that time, which is quickly excused by overstressing the importance of family, in combination with the nostalgia and loneliness of the holidays.
All in all, Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, however, their inconsistencies and blurry portrayals, have become a symbol for the Christmas movies spectrum and still have a special place in people’s perception of Christmas movies with their touching and characteristic soundtrack, a pace that structures the plot accordingly, and its well-timed humor.
References
- Home Alone movie review, rogerebert.com, Available here
- Home Alone review, commonsensemedia.org, Available here
