In November 1990, the Christmas comedy Home Alone hit theaters and became an instant hit. The simple story of a kid left by himself during the holidays while his family vacationed overseas seemed focused on superficial fun at first glance. But upon further reflection, Home Alone is a jewel of sentimentality for the deep, lasting bonds of family. In addition, it captures a refreshingly unique time when society was on the verge of technological transformation, a time before the internet changed our lives forever and human connections were digitized to an alarming degree.
The main character in Home Alone is lovable, mischievous Kevin McAllister, who lives a comfortable life in a gorgeous home “on the most boring street in the whole United States of America, where nothing even remotely dangerous will ever happen.” Kevin takes most everything for granted: his upbringing, his family, his safety, and the holidays. In 1990, I was an eight-year-old who watched a child of the same age navigate this on-screen adventure. It was amusing and fun-filled, and I took it as such.
Now, as a mother myself, I see Home Alone as a story about the precious nature of parenthood and what we’ve lost in a digital age.
Interwoven in the homebound mayhem is the story of Kevin’s neighbor “Old Man” Marley. He is a source of fear and concern due to his appearance and the rumors (that he’s a serial killer) being spread about him. Eventually, we realize he is a gentle soul who suffers from loneliness. Due to a long-ago dispute, his son’s family has abandoned him. He has virtually no relationship with his granddaughter, a girl close to Kevin’s age. In addition, Marley actually rescues Kevin from the two burglars before they do him actual physical harm. In the closing scenes, it’s apparent that Marley has reunited with his family because of Kevin’s encouragement to do so. As the snow pours down, Kevin sees Marley lifting up his granddaughter in a hug while his son and daughter-in-law wait nearby. He waves to Kevin. Frankly, it’s magical. Marley’s deep pain is erased, and the joy of Christmas is palpable.
Of course, the main plot in the movie has to do with how the McAlllisters forget about Kevin and leave him home alone as they travel to France. His mother, Kate, suddenly stumbles upon this truth midflight. The rest of the movie is her desperate attempt to get back to him. In the age of no in-flight Wi-Fi, cell phones, text messaging, etc., finding out how he is doing means hours and hours of waiting. It is more than enough time for panic to set in.
When air travel becomes the worst option for her return home, Mrs. McAllister hitches a ride with a polka band and enjoys an amusing trip back to Chicago. During the ride, musician Gus Polinski (played by the brilliant John Candy) recounts how many of the men in the band are away from their families too often and for too long. The feeling of wasted time and parental failure is tangible.
Kate, a woman who lives a life of wealth, realizes that all parents can relate to the dreaded feeling of imperfection. Money can’t buy everything.
The best part of the movie is when she arrives home and sees Kevin for the first time. At first, there is hesitation as he frowns and makes her reticent. Then, Kevin explodes in a run, and she scoops him up. The music swells, and the happiness of the moment leaps off the screen. This is truly Christmas.
These family aspects touch me in a different way now that I have a son of my own. Christmas isn’t about what is under the tree, the home you inhabit, or the vacations you can buy. Apart from the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth, it’s about spending time with loved ones.
The recent announcement of a Home Alone reboot on Disney+ was met with a strong backlash. It’s not difficult to understand why. The original film has a staying power. It was created during a time before the internet connected all of us in a strangely intimate yet still impersonal way.
Home Alone is a snapshot of a time that was more idyllic and tender in nature. Life moved a bit slower. We weren’t addicted to our devices. This nostalgia for a lack of connectivity may strike some as odd considering our technological reality in 2019. But as the movie shows, distance makes the heart grow fonder and reminds us that the mundanity and annoyances of every day, and even holidays, should actually be treasured.
We need real, tangible connection. And most of all, we need this with those we hold most dear.
Yes, Home Alone is a light comedy set at Christmas. But more than that, it’s a reminder of the deep connections to family — even when they can push us to our brink. It’s a pause and reflection on the meaning of love, joy, friendship, and belonging. Looking back on that less complicated era in our society, it’s an admonition that what is real should be our main focus, because it can vanish too quickly.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a columnist at Arc Digital.
