Home Alone (1990)

 

Home Alone - 1990

Coming up next is 1990's holiday classic "Home Alone", the story of a young boy left behind when his family goes on vacation.  He must do battle against a pair of bandits, who find out that he's got a few tricks up his sleeve that they're not expecting.

The film's cast includes Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O'Hara, John Heard, John Candy, Roberts Blossom, Devin Ratray, Kieran Culkin, Bill Erwin, Anna Slotky, and Hope Davis.

In Chicago, the McCallister family is preparing for a trip.  They are scheduled to fly to Paris, France in the morning.  However, right now things are not going well with youngest child Kevin and his older brother Buzz.  They get into a huge argument.

Kevin is sent up to the attic to think about his attitude.  He's also supposed to sleep up there to accommodate a large number of people in the house.  Before closing the door, he tells his mom that he wishes he was alone and none of them were around him.

The next morning the family makes a mad dash to the airport after oversleeping.  Unwittingly, they leave Kevin behind.  He wakes up to a very empty house.  He can't understand where everyone is.

After a little bit, he comes to a realization.  "I made my family disappear," he says with a grin.

So, he proceeds to do everything he wants to do.  "Guys, I'm eating junk and watching rubbish.  You better come out and stop me!" he calls out, knowing full well that no one will.

Kevin's mom, Kate, has a feeling that she's left something behind.  Full panic sets in when she realizes that the something she left behind is her youngest son.  She screams his name from her first class airline seat.  Unfortunately, there's nothing they can do until they land in Paris.

Back in Chicago, the McCallister house is being cased by a couple of bandits, Harry and Marv.  Knowing that the house is supposed to be empty, they make plans to burglarize it.  However, Kevin is home, and he decides to outwit them.

Kevin rigs up a special system which makes Harry and Marv think that there is a major party going on.  They decide to come back another night.

In Paris, Kate scrambles to find a way to get back to her son.  She's able to fly from Paris to Dallas and eventually to Scranton, Pennsylvania.

In Scranton, she gets a lift from Gus Polinski and his polka band, who are going to be passing through Chicago.

Meanwhile, Kevin is getting a taste of more of what it means to be on his own.  He gets his first experience with aftershave, does the grocery shopping, and gets to know one of his neighbors better.

Eventually, Kevin makes a battle plan for the return of the bandits.  Thankfully, he's got a moment to sit down and eat before they arrive.  "Bless this highly nutritious microwavable macaroni and cheese dinner and the people who sold it on sale.  Amen."

Once Harry and Marv arrive, Kevin is ready for them.  He unleashes a bevy of booby traps that make them regret ever messing with him.  As Kevin observed, "This is my house.  I have to defend it."

Kevin grins from ear to ear when the cops arrive and cart the two bandits off to jail.

The next morning, Kevin is delightfully surprised when his mother arrives home.  He rushes into her arms.  Just a few moments later, the rest of his family comes walking through the door.

Kevin smiles as he greets them.  When they ask what he did while they were gone, he said "Oh, just hung around."

Cast rundown:

   Macaulay Culkin.....................................Kevin McCallister

   Joe Pesci...............................................Harry

   Daniel Stern..........................................Marv

   Catherine O'Hara....................................Kate McCallister

   John Heard............................................Peter McCallister

   John Candy............................................Gus Polinski

   Roberts Blossom.....................................Marley

   Devin Ratray..........................................Buzz McCallister

   Kieran Culkin.........................................Fuller McCallister

   Bill Erwin...............................................Man In Airport

   Anna Slotky...........................................Brooke McCallister

   Hope Davis............................................French Ticket Agent

And that's it for Home Alone.  This film has been consistently included on the list of best Christmas movies of all time.  For twenty-one years, it held the record for being the highest-grossing live-action comedy.  A sequel was released in 1992.

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