A Christmas Story (1983)

This has evolved into a modern day classic thanks to cable TV.   It's even in the National Film Institute of historically significant films.  I knew some basic plot points, but only the Cliff Notes version, like a book you were supposed to read but didn't.

 It was high time to watch it - after all, Christmas is just around the corner.

Ralphie and his brother Randy live with their mother and father in a 1940-ish time.  Not broke enough for the Depression, not prosperous enough for the 50s, no mention of W W II.  In a little town in Northern Indiana.  It is Christmastime and all Ralphie wants for Christmas is a Red Ryder BB gun.  He sets about to get his parents to buy it, but in a roundabout way.  The excuse he constantly hears:  "You'll shoot your eye out!"

Ralphie has other problems as well.  His parents seem to fight on a regular basis.   His mother is a somewhat ineffective in dealing with his father, never referred to as Dad but simply The Old Man. He get picked on at school.  He's not above lying about things to cover up the fears he has.

There are some interesting subplots:  the school bully,whose name Farken.  His parents fights over the leg lamp and the furnace.  The trip to see Santa Claus in the department store.  I won't give away the ending.

Made me think after watching:  why so popular?  I'd say it was the dual sides of his parents - on one hand they seem strict and aloof to this child - but they also show a very loving side to him and his brother.  Told from the child's point of view, it's not a completely rosy look at growing up.  Definitely some truth there.   

 Who doesn't recall a Christmas story of their own?

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