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Actors: Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, Peter Billingsley
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about A Christmas Story |
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"A Christmas Story" is set in 1940 Indiana and tells a story about a nine year old boy named Ralphie Parker have been waiting a whole year for one little special thing- not the typical shiny red firetruck that most boys around his age in that timeframe will want on their wishlist. Instead he want a cool Red Ryder BB gun. Isn't that too much to ask? Well apparently so since he asked his mom about the toy and she gave him one comment he will repeatly hear from other adults- "You will put your eye out"! She does not have time for such unimportant things like that since she have to worry about Ralphie's little brother Randy not eating all his food for dinner like he suppose to. Then there is Ralphie's dad who is too much occupied and hot-tempered to be bothered with, he is always annoyed about the neighbor's hound which he can't stand yet so much overjoyed about a lighted up object shaped like a lady leg he keeps in the front of the family home and often brags about it.
Raphie is determined to get that BB gun no matter what, as he writes a school essay that his teacher Miss Sheilds assigned the students to about what they want for the holidays. Though the little boy put his heart and soul in his paper, about what he really wants, but the teacher gives him a C+ plus a bonus which is a roaring laughing from her that rings in his ear. It will be the same tired words again- you will put your eye out". Now kind of disappointed, Ralphie really don't know who he can turn to but seconds later a thought popped into his head about Santa. So he goes to the mall, filled with excitement and sees a Santa that is quite annoying with his classic words "ho ho ho". His helping elves doesn't make it so great either since they love to swarm around the children since the kids are clearly there for Santa and not them.
Amazed to see Santa Claus right before his eyes, it takes a moment for Ralphie to put his thoughts together. But meanwhile he hears Santa assumptions about what the kid might want for Christmas. He believes he wants a football but Ralphie nods his head. Then he blurts out hat he wants a BB gun! Quickly Santa finds it laughable that he wants that type of toy and again the same words Ralphie heard from his mother and teacher is the same words he hear from Santa which he will be denied of.
--Alicia M., Resident Scholar
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A young boy, Ralphie, desperately wants a BB gun for Christmas. He asks his mother, but she tells him no because he'll shoot his eye out.
The boy plots and schemes a way to get the gun.
For a school project on what they want for Christmas, Ralphie writes about his beloved BB gun. Expecting a perfect grade, he's disappointed when he receives a C and a note from the teacher telling him that he'll shoot his eye out.
As a last gasp, Ralphie goes to the mall and asks Santa for a BB gun. But, Santa also tells him that he'll shoot his eye out. Resigned to the fact that he'll never get his BB gun, he enjoys Christmas.
After all othe gifts are opened, Ralphie's dad points out another gift hidden behind the desk. Ralphie opens it and is thrilled to discover his beloved BB gun. He immediately rushes outside to try it out. The first shot ricochets off his target and hits him in the eye, but his glasses protect him. While searching for his glasses, he steps on them and crushes them. He makes up a cover story to trick his mother. She buys it, nobody's the wiser and Ralphie goes on like it never happened.
--Brandon Swenson, Resident Scholar
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"And what do you want for Christmas little boy?" ahhh an all too simple question for some, but for Ralphie Parker it was only the beginning of his fight in getting a "Red Rider Carbin Action 200 Range Air Rifle with a compass and a stock and this thing which tells time."
This movie is based on a story by Jean Shepard called "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash". It takes place in the Midwest circa the 1950's.
--Heather Byrd, Resident Scholar
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Ralph Parker is a young boy growing up in the 1940's at christmas time. All Ralph wants for Christmas is a red rider BB gun but when ver he shares his dream with someone they just tell him he'll shoot himself.
--cameron line , Resident Scholar
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I have loved this movie ever since I was a kid! A Christmas Story is a great comedy for all ages. Taking place in Holmen, Indiana (near Gary), all Ralphie wishes for Christmas is a "Red Ryder dual carbide-action range rifle with a compass in the stock". He gets slack from his mom and teacher, afraid he'll "shoot his eye out". Only to make him more determined to get what he wants the only other way he knows...ask Santa! I think it reflects a little of everyone's childhood (and parenthood).
--Dawn B, Resident Scholar
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A Christmas Stoy is about a boy, Ralphie, in the midwest during the 1940's, who wants a "genuine Red Ryder 200-shot Combine Action Air Rifle" for Christams. All the authority figures inclding his parents, his teacher, and yes, Santa himself, tell him "you'll shoot your eye out". He plots ways to convince someone to get him one and during this he encounters many childhood memories of winter.
--CJ Foley, Resident Scholar
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For my money, the best Christmas movie ever. Ralphie, a kid in a 1940s Indiana town, wants more than anything in the world to get a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. His parents, his teacher, and even Santa Claus give him grief about it. That winter features the tongue-stuck-to-the-flagpole incident, the neighborhood dogs stealing the Christmas turkey, Chinese waiters singing carols in their awful accents, a jerk mall Santa, and other wonderfully delightful events. Taken from Jean Shepherd's book, _In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash_. Oh, fudge....
--David Loftus, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of A Christmas Story |
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Comedy, primarily
Yes
Time/era of movie:
- 1930's-1950's
Kind of comedy
- holiday comedy
How much humor v. drama
- Mostly humor, but some serious drama
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- student
Age:
- a kid
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Hair color?
- blonde
Hair type
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- (man) average
Events of movie makes character more...
- happy
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor?
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Secondary Main Character
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- a kid
Hair type
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- (man) skinny
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Midwest
Small town?
Yes
Misc setting
- school
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- no torture/death
Movie makes you feel...
- very happy
Any profanity?
- Occasional swearing
If this is a kid's movie...
- Ages 10-15
Is this movie based on a
- book
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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