“I made my family disappear.” Some may recognize this iconic line from one of the most popular Christmas movies, “Home Alone.” The film is watched year after year by families across the world and is referred to by some as the best Christmas movie of all time. But is it truly the best Christmas movie?
To be able to determine its rank amongst other holiday movies, one must first understand its plot. “Home Alone” is a family-friendly comedy film filled with action. Kevin McCallister’s family of 15 accidentally leaves him at home by himself during the holidays, an ironic turn of events after Kevin had wished for his family to disappear the night before. While Kevin enjoys the freedom to do whatever he wants at home, a pair of burglars named Harry and Marv planned to rob the McCallister House while the family was gone, unaware that Kevin was left behind. After overhearing them discuss their plan, Kevin sets up traps around the house to stop them.
What sets “Home Alone” apart from other holiday movies is the intricate and hilarious traps that Kevin sets to stall the burglars. The slipper steps, the feather fan and the iconic tarantula on Marv’s face provide nonstop entertainment to viewers. Another memorable stunt was when Kevin cut a zipline rope, causing Harry and Marv to fall against the brick wall of the house. These extreme and often life-threatening schemes add an element of action that most traditional Christmas movies lack.
Despite Kevin’s clever attempts to outsmart the burglars, the disheveled Harry and Marv eventually manage to capture Kevin. However, Kevin’s next-door neighbor, Old Man Marley, comes to the rescue after befriending Kevin, who was initially terrified of him. After a frightening encounter with the bandits, Kevin realized that he did want to be with his family after all and wished for their return. He was able to get his wish when his mom came home, with the rest of the family close behind.
“Home Alone” has a brilliant plot with hilarious characters, unforgettable scenes and of course, Christmas cheer. The movie could not have been successful without the talented actors who starred in it. . Catherine O’Hara played Kevin’s mom and perfectly portrayed the fear of accidentally losing a child, adding to the film’s believability. Joe Pesci, who played Harry, was also instrumental in the movie’s success his short temper and quick wit that made his character an iconic villain. Most notably, the actor of Kevin McCallister, Macaulay Culkin, made the movie a classic with his mischievous nature that captured the hearts of many.
The actors truly took their roles seriously, making each scene feel realistic and natural. Interviews with the actors revealed shocking moments during filming that contributed to the film’s believability. In an interview with Daniel Stern who plays Marv, he mentioned that in one scene, Culkin placed a real tarantula on his face. His screaming was not forced; it was genuine fear. Stern said the tarantula that was placed on his face was supposed to be mechanical, but the design didn’t work, so Culkin placed a live tarantula on him instead.
In another interview, Culkin discussed the scene where Harry, played by Joe Pesci, joked about biting off Kevin’s fingers. In that scene, Pesci actually bit him and left a scar. Culkin even said the scar was still there and showed it during the interview. The bite wasn’t intentional, but it gave Culkin a way of remembering his debut on “Home Alone.” The unplanned, but humorous details of the film combined with the talent of the actors make “Home Alone” feel realistic and add to its comedic success.
Elf, Christmas Carol, The Grinch. These are the names of popular Christmas movies. But no movie does it better than “Home Alone.” With its unique plot, hilarious scenes and talented actors, “Home Alone” is undoubtedly the best Christmas movie.
