The classic Christmas movie, ‘Home Alone’, captures the essence of the ‘90s. The nostalgic aesthetic of the typical middle-class home era features elements of cinematic brilliance. Famous for its line, “Keep the change, you filthy animal”, this film is centered around the eight-year-old boy Kevin McCallister acting out the night before his family’s departure to Paris for the holidays. Kevin is mistakenly left at home, and we find out his family took a departure to Paris.
Waking up and realizing he was left at home, Kevin feels a sense of freedom and relishes in this feeling until he runs into trouble with two con men who plan to rob his residence. With this information, Kevin formulates a plan that commences the Tom and Jerry chase.
A key component of this movie that represents the 90s is the family dynamic; the 90s were known for the unity among family, whether that be family outings or something as simple as family dinners. Another key element from the ‘90s was fashion, chunky knit sweaters and warm cool tones were often found in articles of clothing. The theme of the ‘90s is found throughout “Home Alone”, bringing a sense of nostalgia to viewers.
The ‘90s was an entirely different time; this was a time of kids playing outside and exploring the world connecting with their neighborhood. This is a total contrast to the times now. The years 2020 and onward have been filled with the online world of social media and online connection compared to the ‘90s, which was all about real life connections. The teenagers back then compared to the teenagers now are opposites; now we live in a world consisting predominantly of social media.
The nostalgia of the ‘90s is centered around the childish innocence and imagination that children often possessed, a common theme featured in “Home Alone”. In this movie, there is a scene where Kevin McCallister wakes up alone in his house and travels down to the basement. He then finds the furnace heater which he imagines is roaring at him. During this scene, Kevin states, “It’s all in my imagination”. The pure innocence featured in this movie is admirable and makes for a truly nostalgic experience.
The humor of the ‘90s was filled with catch phrases that were featured in movies and popularized by the public. In “Home Alone”, “holy cow” and “keep the change, you filthy animal” were popular catchphrases that are often used to identify this movie. “Home Alone” can be described as a family comedy without the family, featuring jokes that cater to children and adults.
The ‘90s are glorified because it seemed less complicated, and “Home Alone” is valued with it. After all, they provide the piece of nostalgia we crave in life. With the internet, you can experience the feeling of nostalgia for a time you haven’t even lived, which is why the trends of decades are always making a comeback.