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As probably many of you are aware, Home Alone is a series of American Christmas family comedy movies. The original idea was created by John Hughes, and the first two movies, about which we are talking today, were directed by Chris Columbus. The movie follows the adventures of a kid named Kevin, who is left alone at home (or in New York, in the second movie), hence the name, during Christmas and has to defend himself and his home from criminals.
The first movie was released back in 1990, and the second one back in 1992. Both of them star such big names as Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, and Catherine O'Hara.
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Bored Panda reached out to one of the actors from the first two Home Alone movies - Jed Cohen, who played Rod, Kevin’s cousin.
Jed defined working on the Home Alone set as a magical experience. “I was 13 years old, and while I had been working as a professional actor for over 5 years, Home Alone was my first film. So everything was new: the lights, the sets, the process, the acting style.”
He also mentioned that his son is proud of him being in the movie, just as he is “Just a few days ago, my son said, ‘Hey Dad, it's really cool that you were in Home Alone!’ And I feel the same way!”
The man feels lucky to be involved in the creation of many people's holiday traditions: “The movie is a snapshot in time. It captures some of the best pieces of the early '90s, an innocent cross between a Norman Rockwell painting and a Three Stooges slapstick, told from the perspective of an 8-year-old kid. And it still resonates!”
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When working on the movie, Jed had no idea it would become such a big deal over time: “I remember reading the script, and getting to Kevin's first trip down to the basement, when he imagines the furnace coming to life. I thought it was dumb! At that point in my life, if I had a clearer understanding of who John Hughes and Christoper Columbus really were, I might have given the script the benefit of the doubt.
But even so, making great movies takes the combined talents of so many people. The writers, the director, the actors, the editors... no one can do it on their own. This film brought together some huge talents, and rested them all on the performance of a 10-year-old Macaulay Culkin, who knocked it out of the park!”
Jed shared some memories from his first time working in the film: “I remember the first take of my closeup at the spider terrarium. I tapped on the glass, the spider skittered away, I flinched (as indicated in the script), and the director yelled 'CUT!' It turns out that I had flinched right out of frame! The director gently offered the insight that acting on camera is a LOT more subtle than on stage... We had to try a few more times, but eventually, we got it right.”
Jed said that his favorite scene from the movie doesn’t even include him! “It's when Catherine O'Hara (the mother) and John Candy (the 'polka king') are driving to Chicago, and she asks "Have you ever gone on vacation and left your child home?" As I understand it, the entire scene was improvised, and the dialogue just cracks me up every time I see it!”
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To get cinema expert insight about the Home Alone movies, Bored Panda also reached out to Cleiton De Veras, who is a creative director at History of Cinema.
Cleiton stated that he believes that the enduring popularity of the Home Alone series movies originates from “its timeless theme of family, relatable characters, and unforgettable humor, creating a nostalgic and cross-generational appeal that has solidified it as a cherished holiday classic.”
Also, the brilliant performances of its actors also played quite a big role in the movie’s success: “Macaulay Culkin and Joe Pesci's dynamic in Home Alone created a legendary on-screen rivalry. The epic good-guy-versus-bad-guy battle was infused with humor and holiday spirit, adding a special charm to the film's enduring appeal.”
Cleiton agrees that the same is true with the movie’s direction - it also contributed to the franchise’s success: “Chris Columbus's direction in Home Alone stood out for its skillful pacing, creative choreography of comedy, and emphasis on family themes, creating a timeless holiday classic that seamlessly blends humor and heart.”
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The other scene that makes me roll every time is the pizza delivery guy/filthy animal scene. The thought of being that guy and hearing, “keep the change, you filthy animal” cracks me up every time!
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After its premiere, the first movie received mixed reviews, and only in later years did the reception become generally positive, praising the cast, humor, and even music.
Cleiton De Veras expressed his thoughts about that: “Critics may not accurately predict a movie's likability in the eyes of the public, particularly when it comes to holiday classics, as personal connections to festive themes often play a significant role in audience enjoyment.”
Yet, the mixed reviews did not hold the movie’s initial success back, as it became the highest-grossing live-action comedy until the crown was stolen by The Hangover Part II, released in 2011. Also, it was the second-highest-grossing film of 1990.
Do you watch Home Alone every Christmas? What is your favorite scene from the movies? Share with us in the comments!
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