Obviously the author missed the scene in Home Alone where Uncle Frank says, "There's no way on earth we're going to make this plane, it leaves in 45 minutes," and the suspension of disbelief that they could make it to O'Hare and through lines and security (which, to be fair, was far different in 1990 than it is in 2017).
1
Not to mention that Kevin would have needed his own ticket, which presumably his parents had. But no one noticed there was no kid to go with the ticket!
Geez, who wrote this article, The Grinch? The movies profiled are comedies in which silly stuff happens. Nobody really believes a kid like Kevin could set up all those booby-traps. That's why it was so silly. And fun. "Fun". Remember fun?!
7
Yeah, this article misses the point and misses the on the humor.
3
Well of course this is in jest; these are all comedies, and Santa Claus doesn't actually exist to get killed off, nor is Don Cheadle some kind of magic elf. But sure, American parents are more likely to do a horrible job than not, and art imitates life.
But heck, you should see the parenting done in "The Hills Have Eyes", or "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre". Comparatively, the parents in these movies aren't as bad as those parents, or Trump.
3
is this The Onion? who on earth would adapt parenting skills from a MOVIE?! ridiculous
1
Most of all, don't be Mel Gibson.
2
Best Christmas dad is still John McClane in Die Hard.
1
Writer missed entirely the humor and the plot development ... in each movie. But seriously-“Home Alone” and “Christmas Vacation” are hallowed ground in our family! (Kids are 32, 29 and 24) Merry Christmas
1
There is a common phrase amongst producers and instructors: "Garbage in, garbage out.". People exposed to these examples will be influenced by them in most cases, therefore creating more dirtbags. There are very few decent examples coming from movie, tv, radio and internet companies. I would examine the producers of this garbage (ie the Weinsteins of the world).
1
I am cautiously suspicious that the Times considers this humorous writing. Which it isn't.
There was a "Secret Santa" op ed earlier this week, also meant to be funny. And not.
I'm not sure who's screening the "humor" articles at the Times but it might be time to call in some new players.
13
It's as though Deb just read some online summaries or Facebook comments about these films rather than actually watching them. Also, where is it written that the major characters of a Christmas film have to be exemplary role models? "Home Alone" begins with an improbable series of errors and events that actually explain quite well how a responsible but frazzled mother could have missed the fact that her younger son was absent. It's not perfect parenting, but something many, many real life parents could understand. Scott Calvin is a lousy father--that's the point (and would you really call the authorities when the man who fell off your roof is, by all evidence, the real Santa?). And Clark Griswold is a good father and good, albeit very flawed, human being who, like many, has internalized the ideas of the American Dream the media inundates us with constantly.
2
Dear John F.,
Excuse me, did you just say, "the real Santa"? I think a lot of people tend to get caught up in the myths and zeitgeist and forget that nothing in movies is real at all.
I hope the author isn’t serious. People do understand reality vs. comedic conventions.
Besides, I take issue with the portrayal of Clark Griswold as a bad role model. He is overly sentimental, yes, but a master of exterior illumination skills. Christmas just isn’t complete in our family without spending some time with the Griswolds
7
I'm sure the author isn't serious. Why would anyone insist that if you kill Santa you should call the police? Whimsical nonsense, that's all, but it's nice to generate some false outrage sometimes to keep the hearth fires warm.
2
Glad you picked Home Alone here - because to me it represents a terrible shift in our culture that now expects moms to helicoptering super humans vs an era where working moms were pretty naturally represented in film - and were not shamed, guilted or portrayed as a bad mom - because she worked. Nearly every John Hughes "mom" worked - and when Kevin was left behind - his mom didn't launch into a self flagellating tirade of self blame and it's because I work. That is quite the opposite of what we see nowadays - where moms have the authorities called on them if they are late getting home from work - and their 10 year old is in the driveway shooting hoops while he waits. (yes real - in Florida).
9
There are, of course, no Christmas movies prior to 1989, right?
6
I can think of one where a piano-playing child sends an unstable parent completely off the rails. A horror story, really, despite the title.
4
Maureen O'Hara who refuses to let her child play make-believe games or read fantasy -- she always scared me!
3
That young lady behind the Department Store lingerie counter in Christmas vacation, makes it for me! It truly is a stunning season.
2
Most of these movies are "alternate realities." That's the fun of movies. They're not supposed to be PSAs. Are we judging fictional parents too, now? Oy.
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