Home Alone by John Hughes 8 out of 10

Home Alone by John Hughes
8 out of 10


This is one of the comedy classics, although it loses somewhat, if not a great deal, when seen now, almost thirty years since its premiere.

It surely has to do with different standards, the evolution of politically correct standards and a much more drastic perspective on parenting.
Fierce in the sense that many if not most viewers of this film would rather condemn the parents rather than laugh at the outcome of a rather senseless losing of a child, on the way to Europe.

An extended family, with adults, cousins, adversarial siblings and a chaotic setup has planned a Christmas vacation across the ocean.
Before they go, they are visited by a kind police officer, played by Joe Pesci, who warns them about the dangers faced by those who abandon their houses unprotected.

But we have systems of defense, lights will go on at pre programmed hours and they mention other valuable information.
Important, because the cop is actually a robber, interested to know what the defenses are, if any, and then use the spying to avoid any traps.

His name is Michael and his partner is Marv, a somewhat deranged- if they are not both rather slow and thick, considering what an eight year old would do to them, special as he certainly is - individual.
Marv has the habit of letting the water flow in the sink, in the houses they had robbed, as a signature and that could be used as evidence.

The reunited families prepare to leave, they set the alarm clock for their early departure, only during the night, as in the Seinfeld episode with the marathon runner and the exceptional installation in Kramer's flat, the electricity is down and they are late for their flight.
In the rush,one of the elder children counts the rest, and there are about ten or eleven of them, and finds that they are all ready, because he has included a visiting boy from the neighborhood.

Kevin aka Macaulay Culkin is left...

Home Alone

A serious and also comic game would start between him and the malefactors.
In the first place, he manages to fool them with a complex arrangement of shadows, mannequins.
Harry and Marv drive their van to the house and think that there is a party there.

The false policeman is puzzled by this change, since he has asked in an alleged official capacity and learned about the trip to Europe, France more exactly.
They soon find that the eight year old is alone.

But he has all the tricks to play against the villains.
He sets Harry's hair on fire.

Shoots them both, not with real bullets, but still causing a lot of pain.
There are feathers, wind machines, ice on the stairs...

You name it, the weapon, trick, trap is used in this vicious, amusing battle of wits.

Who wins?
You can only imagine.

Trump is present in Home Alone, alas.
One good reason to avoid the film.

I am not sure however which is the unlucky feature.
Was it the sequel?

I have not seen him in the original, Home Alone I, but then I did not pay it full attention.