Chris Columbus
Mamma Ho Perso L'Aereo

A child (McKallister) Kevin (Culkin). This is where the tragedy begins. You can forget a volleyball racket at home, I even understand a pair of glasses (which the singing and snobby Uncle Frank hilariously forgets later), I also understand leaving the garage door open, but not a little blonde innocent human. It seems like a disconnected sentence, yet it is what happens in the film we are reviewing. All the right premises for a 'farce' but also for a domestic tragedy.

Kevin is now home alone [and this is the basic connection with the title of the work (in the original version (in English) "Home Alone")], will he miss his family? Not for now, he is having fun like any child would. But the tragedy is around the corner and it's called: Pesci and Stern, aka the two thieves (of the faucet, oh my the chilling cynicism of Columbus in recreating scary atmospheres). The problem is that the tragedy will not be for the defenseless little homeowner, but for the two unfortunate crooks, who will get what's coming to them.

Great work by director Columbus who orchestrates "a noir puzzle" (Mereghetti, "Mulholland Drive") that goes well beyond Harry Potter (also directed by the same Columbus). The great Christmas atmosphere makes it a classic Christmas movie (a notch above the albeit beautiful local comedies of Boldi and De Sica, 'but what can you do, the Americans are better at cinema').

Some wonderful scenes for the anthology: The "Ahhh" of Kevin after applying the aftershave that burns, and at the same time the mother's "Keeeeviiin" (already the fiery redhead Skelly from X-Files) when she realizes she left one of her kids at home, the scene of the grocery bags breaking is also beautiful (pure slapstick).

Curiosities:

• Cameo by John Candy (still alive at the time), a polka musician.
• Pesci won the Oscar (as Best Supporting Actor) for the role in the film 'Goodfellas', scandalously overlooked by the Academy for this role in "Home Alone".
• The film is not, surprisingly, based on a true story (David Lynch).
• The director appears in the film, but cannot be seen, since he is behind the camera and not in front (as is customary for a good director).

A beautiful yet uncomfortable film for the time (Gulf War). Scandalously forgotten by the Academy, the David Di Donatello, and the Berlin Bear. It remains one of the greatest depictions of the hypocritical and priggish America of the Bush (senior) era. A hilariously enjoyable narrative, in short, a must-see film for those who love cinema.

Amazing and well-deserved box office success. A cult film for a generation of Harley enthusiasts. With better assistant direction, Columbus could have crafted a masterpiece; either way, "Home Alone" or "Home Alone" as the Americans pronounce it, is a gray sapphire that shines in its own light. With two sequels.