About movieHome Alone - Essay Example

Outline of the film, Home Alone Introduction ‘Home Alone’ is a family comedy film directed by Chris Columbus. It is written and produced by John Hugh. Released in November, 1990, the film, replete with hilarious episodes, children’s imagination going wild and fantastic storyline, was a Christmas gift to the family. It was also the biggest box office grosser that had provided instant fame to the child artist, Macaulay Culkin, who plays the character of Kevin McCallister, the protagonist of the film.

The film is distinct in its children’s theme of pranks that Kevin uses against the burglars who come to the house on Christmas with the intention of robbery. The 103 minutes long movie is highly entertaining and justifies its tremendous success with its top position in the box office rating for 12 straight weeks.2. Summary The plot is a dream come true fantasy for children. Kevin McCallister is accidentally left behind during the Christmas when his family rushes to catch their flight for Paris where they are to celebrate Christmas with friends and relatives.

While the family realizes the faux pas only when they are airborne, Kevin is delighted to find himself all alone at home. His mother, Kate remains at Paris airport to catch the first flight for home and after much ado she finally reaches Chicago to be reunited with her son. Meanwhile, Kevin is having a gala time, enjoying all the things which were earlier forbidden like watching TV, eating junk food etc. The movie takes a turn for more riotous comedy when Kevin thwarts the intentions of two burglars who come to rob the McCallister home by playing mischievous pranks which are the highlights of the film.3. Critique of the movie The film is a light comedy which a family can enjoy with unadulterated fun.

It is realistic in the dreams that children would like to come true because all children just wish that their parents would disappear so that they can do what they want and have fun all day without any parental control. At the same time, it must have been nostalgic for some adults who had such fun playing pranks as Kevin had done in the film. At the same time, the elaborate planning and booby traps made by eight year old Kevin look too good to be true (Goldberg, 2000). But overall, the film was a huge success because it was fantasy filled comic play of shenanigans that children love.

Even though the mischiefs are a little overboard, the director had succeeded in capturing the attention of the target audience.4. Conclusion Smith (2013) has correctly summed up the film as it ‘showed kids an irresistible world stripped of parental control’. It was acclaimed a top box office grosser and established an iconic standard for family comedies that never age. The whole cast of the film as well as the writer; producer and director have all done an excellent job that has contributed to its roaring success.

Indeed, the film reconfirms the genius of the director, Chris Columbus who had also directed Mrs. Doubtfire, the slapstick comedy of a married couple.Work citedGoldman, William. The Big Picture?: ‘Who Killed Hollywood and Other Essays.’ Applause (2000): 49-50.Smith, Patrick. Home Alone Review. The Telegraph, 27 Dec. 2013. Web. 3 Dec. 2014.