A Christmas Story (1983), , DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect Director: Bob Clark, Screenplay: Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown, Bob Clark; rated PG Starring: Melinda Dillon (Mrs. Parker), Darren McGavin (Mr. Parker), Peter Billingsley (Ralphie), Scott Schwartz (Flick), Tedde Moore (Miss Shields), Ian Petrella (Randy), R. D. Robb (Schwartz), Zack Ward (Scut Farkus) Plot Summary: Set in the 1940s, the film follows a young boy named Ralphie whose fervent Christmas wish is a Red Ryder air rifle. Despite warnings that he'll shoot his eye out, Ralphie embarks on various humorous attempts to convince his parents, teacher, and even Santa Claus. The film also features relatable childhood experiences and family dynamics leading up to Christmas Day.
It's often hard to put into words the brimming landfill of dumb things we did as kids. Sure, let's see what happens in frog vs. firecracker... I'd love to walk miles into the West Texas desert with no plan or water... I wonder what will happen if I skip this flat stone across a pond toward my unsuspecting cousin. This scene is cinematic gold. First our young friends discuss the theory of a frozen pole and the human tongue. One of them dismisses it as hogwash. Then a dare is issued. Then, a double-dog dare! Before you know it, a crowd has gathered to witness the frigid, bravely stupid event. The result? That's better seen, than written about. Something subtle you might have missed: thank you, Cleveland On screen, the story takes place somewhere in Northwest Indiana in the late 1930's. However, this holiday classic was filmed in Cleveland, Ohio, a city that beat out twenty other potential locations. The citizens of Cleveland loved being chosen and donated many of the antique vehicles for filming. In 2005, the Victorian home used for exterior shots was purchased by avid fan Brian Jones, on Ebay, for a mere $150,000. He restored the exterior to match the film and re-decorated the interior to that 1930's look. Brian even purchased the house across the street and opened up a gift shop/museum. Memorable Quotes: "In the heat of battle my father wove a tapestry of obscenities that as far as we know is still hanging in space over Lake Michigan." - adult Ralphie, narrating "No. You'll shoot your eye out." - Mother, when Ralphie spills that he wants a B-B Gun for Christmas "Only I didn't say "Fudge." I said THE word, the big one, the queen-mother of dirty words, the "F-dash-dash-dash" word!" - adult Ralphie, narrating "You used up all the glue... on purpose!" - The Old Man Dad's Review: It is truly a wonderful experience when a film feels like a snapshot of your life. My formative years were the late 60s-early 70s, which is later than this film's timeframe, however much the film reminds me a lot of my own upbringing. You can just feel how much the filmmakers loved this story. Their vision rings true to the 1966 book, God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd, that inspired the film. This is not only a Christmas story, but a chronicle of how middle American lived back then. A time when it was considered OK to just be average. The story is told from the perspective of Ralphie, a 9-year-old boy, perched precipitously on the edge of every kid's annual dream - CHRISTMAS! The lad, and his fellow schoolmates, already knows that Santa is not, well, real. Yet, he is smart enough to play along in order to rake in the gifts. As the film moves along, the kids attend school in the cold, snow-filled Midwestern winter. Their day-to-day existence mirrors many of my childhood memories: the dread of writing a theme paper, classroom pranks and playground dares, getting a mouthful of soap, and the ever-present gang of bullies lurking behind a fence, ready to pounce on the weak.
Ralphie's desire is simple. For Christmas, he wants a Red Rider Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle (that mouthful is commonly called a "BB gun"). However, this time, the deck is stacked against him. Every adult is aligned, apparently as part of a massive conspiracy, to block his quest to possess this necessary weapon. Can't they see it is needed so he can protect the family? Can't they accommodate his journey to manhood? Jeez! What's a young boy to do? Like the film's central character, I too wanted a quasi-adult "toy". My wish was a Wood-burning Kit. Using an "electric wand" (with several tips depending on artistic need), you could create spectacular nature pictures on a pristine board of white pine. I begged and pleaded for it, hoping that somehow Mom would see the light and come through. All she would say was, "Those things are dangerous!" Luckily, my father delivered. FINALLY, I could become the world's best wood-burning artisan. Within ten minutes, I had badly burned my fingers so many times that I threw the whole thing in the trash. Mom was right. Oh well, so much for personal growth. Recanting memories like that is the magic of A Christmas Story. This cinematic treasure is as much a history film, as a holiday classic. It harkens to a simpler time, when families endured the rough parts of life, and enjoyed the modest pleasures they could afford. Dad went to work, then grumped around the house. Kids (even then) couldn't stand their younger siblings. Mom was patient, kind and, somehow held it all together. This film is like watching a digital version of a family photo album. Every year, I'm sadly sentimental looking at those old, faded Polaroids of our family's early Christmases. Such innocence. Yet, I always felt loved, and every memory, even the bad, are precious. To this day, those memories give me hope and are such an enduring comfort. Das Ende Back to No. 1... Chewing Bones
|
Defining Moment:
Flick vs. the flag pole
Like
our young, bespectacled protagonist, I was also super-sensitive, lacking
in confidence of any kind, and completely afraid to stand up to bullies.
Back then, I just couldn't see how simple it all was. Had I punched
Jimmy Lane in the nose on day one, he would not have endlessly picked on
me. My torture went on for weeks. When I finally could endure it no
longer, I lifted the annoying squirt up by his feet and pile-drove his
head into the grassy lawn. Off ran Jimmy, crying to my satisfaction. And
for that, I finally gained a little moxie.