Home Alone (1990)

Film: Home Alone

Director: Chris Columbus

Country: USA

Released: September 1990

Runtime: 103 minutes

Genre: Christmas

Studio: Hughes Entertainment / 20th Century Fox

Influenced: Nancy Meyers, Jon Favreau, Robert Zemeckis, Wes Anderson, Ron Howard

One of the most successful and well-loved Christmas films of all time, Home Alone was the brainchild of screenwriter and filmmaker John Hughes, who was inspired to write the script after reading a news story about a child who had been accidentally left home alone during a family holiday trip. Hughes had built a reputation for witty and fast-paced films about teenagers and young adults, and he saw the potential for comedy in the situation, as well as the opportunity to explore themes of family, independence and self-reliance. The film's plot revolves around Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy played by Macaulay Culkin. Kevin's large extended family is preparing to leave for a Christmas holiday in Paris and the chaos of their preparations leads to Kevin being accidentally left behind when they depart for the airport. It's impossible to watch the film now without thinking that a mobile phone could have prevented it all.

Initially delighted at having the house to himself, Kevin soon realises that two burglars, Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern), are planning to rob his home on Christmas Eve. Kevin takes it upon himself to defend his house by setting up a series of booby traps and using his resourcefulness to outsmart the burglars. In the meantime, his mother, Kate McCallister (Catherine O'Hara), frantically tries to return home after realising her mistake. The film alternates between Kevin's antics at home and his mother's desperate journey to reunite with him. The burglars' repeated attempts to break into the house and the hilarious and painful consequences they face as a result of Kevin's traps make for some of the funniest scenes in all of cinema history.

Some of the inventive traps that Kevin lays for the burglars include a paint can rigged to fall on their heads, a tarantula in a birdcage and a blowtorch that sets fire to their shoes. Home Alone made extensive use of practical effects, rather than CGI, to create its set pieces and stunts, helping to give the film a more realistic and believable feel. Home Alone was also one of the first major films to feature a child actor (Macaulay Culkin) as the main protagonist. This helped to make the film more relatable to younger audiences and helped to launch Culkin's career. The film's success catapulted Culkin to stardom, and he remains closely associated with the role of Kevin McCallister. The movie's catchphrases, like "Keep the change, ya filthy animal", and the image of Kevin's shocked face with his hands on his cheeks, remain iconic and instantly recognisable worldwide.

Home Alone blended slapstick comedy and heartwarming family moments, such as the scene where Old Man Marley reunites with his estranged son, making it an appealing film for both children and adults. Home Alone was a huge commercial success, grossing over US$476mn worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1990 and helping to revitalise the Christmas movie genre. The film was also critically acclaimed, winning an Oscar for Best Original Score, and its success spawned several sequels, although none achieved the same level of acclaim as the original. The film is also notable for its cameo appearance by John Candy as Gus Polinski, the Polka King of the Midwest. Director Chris Columbus gave Candy the basic premise for the character and asked him to come up with his lines, and the hilarious scene in which he shares a ride with Kevin's mother, Kate, were ad-libbed by the actor. This improvisational approach added an extra layer of humour to the film and showcased Candy's and O'Hara's comedic talents.