A Macaulay Culkin Classic Is Now On Netflix
This article is more than 2 years old
A Macaulay Culkin classic has arrived on Netflix, and just in time for the holidays, it is fun, wholesome, and will make you value your family more in their absence. If you think I am talking about the classic holiday caper attempted by the Wet Bandits, Home Alone, you’re wrong; we’re talking about the story of young love and tragedy, My Girl. The film starring Culkin, Anna Chlumsky, Dan Ackroyd, and Jamie Lee Curtis is available on the streamer if you are ready to shed a tear and never recover.
The film served as a guide to dealing with the coming-of-age transition in life for girls in the early 90s, following the story of 11-year-old Vada (Anna Chlumsky) as she struggles with her feelings for an adult, her divorced father (Dan Akroyd) dating a new woman (Jamie Lee Curtis), and her first menstruation. While she struggles with these life moments that would be difficult for anyone, much less a hypochondriac with an inattentive single father, she finds solace and companionship in an unpopular boy, Thomas J. Sennett (Macaulay Culkin). The two share an inseparable friendship that explores their changing lives and developing feelings, along with facing death and tragedy.
Macaulay Culkin is best known for four films ranging from 1990 to 1994 when he was 10 to 14 years old. His first smash hit is undoubtedly his most well-known film, Home Alone, which saw him foil the would-be robbers of his home when he was left behind during his family’s vacation. He then went on to star in My Girl in 1991, The Good Son alongside Elijah Wood in a turn to the more murderous side of his acting ability, and finally starred in Richie Rich in 1994.
Anna Chlumsky didn’t enjoy as much of a high-rising, shooting star effect to her career as Macaulay Culkin did, as she spent her time doing more minor movies and series. While she did appear in the sequel to My Girl in 1994, she didn’t enjoy a recurring role on a more significant project until she appeared in four episodes of Hannibal nearly two decades later. Her most considerable success since her role as Vada in My Girl is as Amy Brookheimer in all 65 episodes of the Julia Louise-Dreyfus-led Veep.
Dan Akroyd was already a massive star on the scene when he stepped in the Macaulay Culkin classic in 1991, having had a very successful career in the 1980s. He is best known for his roles in Ghostbusters and its sequel, along with a few other projects in the franchise, Dragnet alongside Tom Hanks, and Coneheads alongside his fellow Saturday Night Live alum, Chris Farley. Later audiences may know him better from appearances in Tommy Boy, 50 First Dates with Adam Sandler, and The Campaign with Will Ferrell.
Jamie Lee Curtis may be the biggest star of the film today, overshadowing Macaulay Culkin and the others with her roles in films like Freaky Friday with Lindsey Lohan, True Lies with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Knives Out with Daniel Craig. However, the Scream Queen is undoubtedly best known for her long-running role in the Halloween franchise, serving as both the obsession and downfall of the murderous Mike Myers.
There are dozens of movies to watch during the holiday season, but if you need a break from the Christmas movies and need another reason to cry other than your in-laws announcing they will stay for a few days longer, Macaulay Culkin’s My Girl is the movie for you.
