Home Alone

(Fox Home Entertainment, 11.21.2006)

Home Alone is a particularly guilty Christmas pleasure. The problem isn't that the movie's bad -- though Roger Ebert certainly didn't like it -- the problem is that it ultimately makes some very peculiar statements about the holidays. Directed by Chris Columbus, Home Alone combines its holiday backdrop with anarchic mischief in much the same way as Gremlins, another underrated Christmas classic (written by Columbus). It's not entirely clear why a movie about a kid hanging out by himself and doing battle with a pair of burglars makes for such addictive Christmas viewing, but I have a theory.

The subtext of most Christmas movies -- and the Christmas season in general -- is our collective feeling of guilt about the materialism of a holiday that's supposed to be about important, meaningful subjects like family, peace, and hope. Left to his own devices, Kevin McAllister (Macaulay Culkin) is able to ignore all that parental guilt and re-think his Christmas priorities. He literally does battle in defense of his presents, using old toys (as weapons) to defend new toys. Sure, lip service is paid to all the important holiday themes, but the movie ultimately argues that materialism is an extension of family and, therefore, equally important.

Structurally, the film uses Roberts Blossom's character -- lonely street shoveler, Marley -- as an inspiration for Kevin, implying that he'll end up depressed and family-free unless he defends his property. In the end, it almost seems as if Kevin's defeat of the wet bandits a) brings his family back and b) heals Marley's relationship with his estranged daughter. Of course, these messages aren't intended, they're simply the byproduct of an unlikely marriage of exploitative escapism, sermonizing, and the filmmakers' incessant need to tie-up loose ends.

Unless you're a little kid, the main reason to pick up the new "Family Fun Edition" of Home Alone is not the bland assortment of DVD games (including "Battle Plan," "Trivia Quiz," and "Head Count"). The real attraction is the new audio commentary by director Chris Columbus and Mac-attack himself, Macaulay Culkin. The former child superstar has grown into a funny, slightly jaded 27-year-old and he relays memorable tales of behind-the-scenes jealousy and violence (Joe Pesci scarred him for life in one unusually intense rehearsal). Columbus adds that most of the film's adult actors had no idea why they were working on this movie... until it became a massive hit.

Of the many featurettes, the best are "Home Alone Around the World" -- which offers a glimpse of several key scenes, dubbed in foreign languages -- and "Mac Cam: Behind the Scenes with Macaulay Culkin." The latter follows a charming Mac as he shoots behind-the-scenes footage, interviews cast members, and offers Columbus some much-needed directing tips. Additional features include deleted scenes, alternate takes, and a gag reel. -- Jonathan Doyle