Synopsis
Eight-year-old Kevin is accidentally left behind when his family leaves for France. At first, he is happy to be in charge, but when thieves try to break into his home, he tries to put up a fight.
Cast
Macaulay Culkin…Kevin
Joe Pesci…Harry
Daniel Stern…Marv
Catherine O’Hara…Kate
John Heard…Peter
Roberts Blossom…Marley
Best Character
It would be wrong not to choose Kevin, wouldn’t it? He’s a very resourceful eight-year-old. Especially considering that at the start of the film he didn’t even know how to pack his own suitcase. Gotta love the little guy though.
Best Supporting/Obscure Character
The annoying kid who Heather mistakes for Kevin has to be given this title. He’s one of the biggest factors in Kevin being left at home and his pestering of the cab driver is annoying yet hilarious.
Favourite Scenes
The montage of the family rushing to get ready for their vacation is such a great moment. There’s nothing too special about it, but the music really makes it. Especially as the neighbour’s kid is pestering the cab driver and it really takes the urgency out of the moment.
I love the moment when Kevin realises he’s alone. It’s what I imagine most kids that age would do if the same thing happened. Well for a while at least until it really sinks in they’re alone.
The scene where Kevin is trying to buy a toothbrush and gets scared when Old Man Marley comes in is actually very interesting. As a whole the scene isn’t scary but viewing it from the level and perception of Kevin with the low ominous music really changes how it is viewed.
I also really love the police chase scene. Mostly because of Kevin’s quite comedic ‘woahs’ as he slides across the ice.
One of my biggest questions for this film is where did Kevin get all of the mannequins for the fake party? This is such an iconic scene for many reasons but the question always bugs me.
The whole last half an hour of this film is absolutely iconic. Kevin defending himself against Harry and Marv is the one scene from Home Alone that absolutely everyone knows and for good reason. Personally, I think it’s one of the best moments in film history.
Best Quotes/Lines
HARRY: All kids, no parents. Probably a fancy orphanage.
There is an absurd amount of children in this family. To this day I still don’t know who is who and which kid belongs to which parent. It’s very confusing.
KEVIN: Everyone in this family hates me.
KATE (KEVIN’S MOM): Then maybe you should ask Santa for a new family.
KEVIN: I don’t want a new family. I don’t want any family. Families suck!
KATE: Just stay up there! I don’t want to see you again for the rest of the night.
KEVIN: I don’t want to see you again for the rest of my whole life. And I don’t want to see anybody else either.
KATE: I hope you don’t mean that. You’d feel pretty sad if you woke up tomorrow morning and you didn’t have a family.
KEVIN: No, I wouldn’t.
KATE: Then say it again. Maybe it’ll happen.
Why is Kevin’s mom such a savage in this scene? This is a very harsh thing to say to an eight-year-old.
KATE: How could we do this? We forgot him.
PETER: We didn’t forget him, we just miscounted.
KATE: What kind of mother am I?
FRANK: If it makes you feel any better, I forgot my reading glasses.
Not really the same level of forgetfulness is it Frank?
MARV: Why the hell are you dressed like a chicken?
Keep the change you filthy animal is obviously very iconic, as everyone knows that line. What I will say about Home Alone though is there aren’t that many funny quotes/lines, it’s more about the scenes as a whole.
Most Iconic Outfit
Not many iconic outfits in Home Alone, but Kevin’s little puffer jacket bobble hat and mittens combo is pretty cute. I’m actually quite jealous of his mittens on a string. I had a pair when I was younger and they were great.
Best Musical Moment
The opening music is super iconic. Honestly, the score for this film is absolutely stunning, John Williams is one of my favourite composers.
Run, Run Rudolph playing while the family runs through the airport is such an iconic moment in the film. The music really makes this moment and it’s the perfect song choice.
Thoughts/Opinions That Don’t Fit Into A Specific Category
Who is really to blame for Kevin being left behind? Is it the adults or Heather? Is it the annoying kid from next door? Who knows, they’re still bad parents.
The running joke of the statue being knocked over will always be funny. I don’t even know why.
One of the most interesting facts about Home Alone is that many of the shots that focus on Kevin in the beginning of the movie are filmed from above his head, making him seem small and helpless. At the end of the movie, Kevin is mostly shot from below, making him seem taller and more confident.
The most interesting fact of the film is that despite the film being mostly from Kevin’s perspective, you never see his bedroom. How that has only just occurred to me I don’t know. That’s actually mindblowing.
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Like this post? Why not read this one too: Christmas Classics: Deck the Halls
I really enjoyed reading your thoughts about this film. I haven’t seen it. I know, it’s crazy that I haven’t given that it’s a christmas classic but there we go. I have to try and watch i this year!
[…] Like this post? Why not read this one too: Christmas Classics: Home Alone […]