Home Alone




This is my house, I have to defend it.

Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) has just been left home alone when his family forgot him on their way to France for Christmas. He is overjoyed initially, because the night before he shared some harsh words with them. But he soon begins to wish they were back when two small time thieves (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) start to poke around his house. So it comes down to Kevin vs. Harry and Marv in the movie's memorable bombardment of booby traps.

Okay, this movie has very little to do with reality. No eight-year-old is this smart. No mere mortal could survive half of what Harry and Marv do. While the plot is put together fairly well, it seems kind of pointless with what happens. But what can you say? This is merely a family movie. There's plenty of slapstick (mostly towards the end), though the movie relies heavily on Hughes' script, which delivers in spurts. And there's Culkin of course.

There are some genuinely funny moments, though nothing extremely hilarious. Some things meant to be touching are thrown in, like Kevin, being the wise eight year old he is, reuniting his neighbor (Roberts Blossom) with his family. These elements feel a bit contrived. The best parts of the movie actually involve the parts without Kevin, as his family tries to travel during the holidays. Meanwhile, while Kevin is having problems of his own, his mother (Catherine O'Hara) is desperately trying to get back to the son they forgot.

Culkin shines here. While not an astonishing child actor, he is competent and makes it up with his charm. He is every child's hero: a kid who isn't scared silly and does whatever he wants while his parents are gone. Pesci and Stern are excellent not so smart criminals.

Home Alone is a movie most kids will like. Despite its implausibility, it does have some charm and a bit of appeal.



-The Gnome