What did the French guy say to Kevin? An In-Depth Look at the Use of French in Home Alone

As a tech geek and data analyst who loves streaming classic movies in my free time, I’m fascinated by the iconic use of French in the beloved holiday classic Home Alone. In this in-depth guide, we’ll analyze the meaning and purpose behind the famous French lines, as well as other fun facts for fans about the use of French in the films. Grab some popcorn and let’s rediscover these gems together!

The Scene with the French Man on the Plane

One of the most memorable scenes involving French happens early in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. After mistakenly following the wrong family, Kevin ends up on a flight to New York City instead of Miami and sits next to a French man. In his usual precocious manner, Kevin tries to strike up a conversation by asking the man if he’s ever been to Florida.

The French man responds:

"Quoi? Je viens de France. Je suis touriste. C‘est mon premier voyage aux États-Unis."

This translates to:

"What‘s that? I‘m from France. I‘m a tourist. It‘s my first trip to the United States."

As a Francophile myself, I can just picture this confused French tourist wondering why a young American child is chatting him up! The man’s befuddled expression and Kevin’s innocent excitement at flying alone make this simple French exchange both comedic and heartwarming.

Putting the Scene in Context

Looking at Kevin’s interaction with the French man in the broader context of the film provides more insight into its significance.

Kevin is an imaginative childeager to explore the world beyond his suburban Chicago home. Earlier in the film, he tells his family he wants to see the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center and visit a toy store in New York City.

Sitting next to a visitor from France represents another brush with the exciting wider world outside Kevin‘s normal realm. The chance to practice his French and use it to connect with someone from another culture is too tempting for curious Kevin to resist!

Linnie‘s Incorrect French in Home Alone

Kevin‘s experience with French prior to his New York adventure is limited to what he learns at home. A funny example is when his older sister Linnie calls him "les incompétents" in Home Alone.

She is trying to say “You’re what the French call les incompétents” to insult Kevin as incompetent in a sophisticated manner. However, as fans have pointed out, Linnie’s attempt at French is incorrect:

“L’incompétent”

is the proper singular form of “the incompetent one.” By using the plural “les incompétents,” it demonstrates Linnie’s rudimentary grasp of French.

This scene shows how even basic French can sound exotic to English speakers unfamiliar with the language. It pokes fun at those who sprinkle French into conversation to appear intelligent and worldly.

The Significance of French in the Home Alone Universe

Let’s go beyond specific scenes to analyze why the scriptwriters included French dialogue and references in the Home Alone films at all.

It emphasizes the upper-class status of the McCallister family

The family takes expensive trips to Europe, suggesting they are well-off financially. Speaking even just a bit of French is a status marker, reinforcing that the McCallisters are worldly, educated, and value European culture.

It provides humor through the children‘s use of French

Neither Kevin nor his siblings are fluent. Their clumsy attempts at French, like Linnie’s “les incompétents,” are played for laughs. This pokes fun at American attitudes that French is stylish, even when speaking it poorly.

It contrasts youthful innocence and adult sophistication

Kevin represents childlike earnestness while the French man embodies adult refinement. The tension between Kevin‘s simplicity and the man‘s inaccessible sophistication heightens the humor.

Fun Facts About French in Home Alone

Let‘s explore some fun insider facts that provide more context about the use of French in the Home Alone movies:

• The scenes set in France were actually filmed in Chicago.
• The actor who played the French man was not actually French. He was an American actor named Clarence Gilyard.
• John Candy filmed a funny scene as a polka band leader welcoming the McCallisters to France, but it was cut from the final film.
• The French song playing in the background when the family realizes Kevin is home alone is “O Holy Night” by comedian Adam Sandler.

Conclusion: An Enduring Pop Culture Moment

The casual inclusion of French dialogue and references in Home Alone serves an important purpose: highlighting themes of innocence, family, and wonder. Kevin‘s interactions with the French tourist encapsulate his childlike excitement at new experiences. The humor comes from the juxtaposition of his simplicity against the aura of sophistication associated with French language and culture.

Twenty years later, these brief but iconic French scenes are still remembered because they distill what we love about Home Alone – the humor, heart, and holiday nostalgia that make it a cherished Christmas classic. So next time you watch, listen closely during the French parts and appreciate them in a new light!