I'll Be Home for Christmas (1998 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids I'll Be Home for Christmas |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Arlene Sanford |
| Produced by |
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| Screenplay by |
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| Story by | Michael Allin |
| Starring |
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| Music by | John Debney |
| Cinematography | Hiro Narita |
| Editing by | Anita Brandt-Burgoyne |
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| Distributed by | Buena Vista Pictures |
| Release date(s) | November 13, 1998 |
| Running time | 86 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $30 million |
| Money made | $12.2 million |
I'll Be Home for Christmas is a fun Christmas family comedy film from 1998. It was directed by Arlene Sanford. The movie is about a college student named Jake. He needs to travel from Los Angeles, California, all the way to his family's home in Larchmont, New York. He has to get there in time for Christmas dinner. Why? To win his dad's cool Porsche car! The film stars Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Jessica Biel, Adam LaVorgna, Sean O'Bryan, and Gary Cole. It first came out on November 13, 1998.
Contents
The Christmas Race Home
This movie follows Jake Wilkinson (Jonathan Taylor Thomas), an 18-year-old college student. He lives in California and hasn't visited his family in Larchmont, New York for holidays. His mom passed away, and his dad remarried.
A Car for Christmas
A few days before Christmas Eve, Jake's dad makes him an offer. If Jake can be home by 6:00 PM on Christmas Eve for dinner, he'll get his dad's awesome 1957 Porsche 356. Jake had planned to go to Cabo San Lucas with his girlfriend, Allie Henderson (Jessica Biel). But when Allie says no, Jake decides to try for the car. Allie agrees to travel with him to New York.
Stuck in the Desert
Jake has a rival named Eddie Taffet (Adam LaVorgna). Eddie wants Allie's attention. Eddie and his friends play a trick on Jake. They leave him stranded in the California desert, dressed as Santa Claus! This happens because Jake didn't get Eddie a cheat sheet for an exam. Eddie had secretly made sure Jake couldn't get it.
Allie's Ride to New York
While Jake is stuck, Allie thinks he left her again. Eddie offers Allie a ride to New York, and she reluctantly accepts. Now Jake has only three days to get to Larchmont for the car.
Unexpected Travel Buddies
Jake soon meets Nolan (Andrew Lauer), who is driving stolen kitchen items. A police officer named Max (Sean O'Bryan) stops them for speeding. Jake quickly makes up a story. He says Nolan is his elf, Snowpuff, and they are taking the goods to a children's hospital. The officer believes them and invites them to North Platte, Nebraska. He wants their help to win back his wife.
A Stop in Bavaria
Meanwhile, Allie and Eddie stay at a unique hotel in a Bavarian-style village in Amana, Iowa. A news reporter is filming live there. Jake sees Allie and Eddie on TV, standing under mistletoe and looking like they kissed. Jake is waiting at a bus station in Nebraska and decides to go to the Bavarian village.
He comes up with a plan to get the bus driver to drop him off there. He gets a cooler and some meat. He writes Allie's name and address on the cooler. Then he tells everyone on the bus that the cooler is for a little girl at the hospital in the Bavarian village. He says it's for a transplant!
Misunderstandings and Races
Jake gets to Allie and Eddie's room. Eddie comes out of the shower, and Jake thinks Allie and Eddie have been together. Jake and Allie talk and make up. But then Jake accidentally says that Eddie stopped him from getting home by 6 PM. Allie gets upset that Jake cares more about the car than her. She gets on the bus and takes Jake's seat.
Jake and Eddie drive off. Eddie realizes Jake might get both Allie and the Porsche. He gets jealous and throws Jake out of his car in Wisconsin. Jake decides to enter a Santa Claus race. The prize is $1,000, which he hopes to use for a plane ticket. Eddie gets arrested during the race for bothering two police officers dressed as Christmas trees.
Jake barely wins the race against a kind man named Jeff Wilson. On the way to the airport, Jake learns that Jeff is the town's mayor. The mayor usually wins the race and uses the money to buy food for people in need. Jake feels bad and gives the prize money to the mayor.
The Final Stretch
Jake calls his sister, who arranges a plane ticket for him from Madison, Wisconsin. But Jake can't get on the plane because he doesn't have a photo ID. So, he hides in a dog kennel on a cargo plane with a big dog named Ringo.
From the airport, he hides on a train. Then he tries to hitch a ride in a car. Finally, he steals a one-horse open sleigh from a local parade! When he reaches his street, he apologizes to Allie, and they make up. Jake rides the sleigh home. He arrives at 5:59 PM, just before the deadline.
He purposely waits a few minutes outside so he won't be on time for the Porsche. When his father offers him the car anyway, Jake says no. He also finally accepts his stepmother. The Wilkinsons and Allie all get into the sleigh. The parade arrives, and they join the procession, celebrating Christmas together.
Cast
- Jonathan Taylor Thomas as Jake Wilkinson
- Jessica Biel as Allie Henderson
- Adam LaVorgna as Eddie Taffet
- Sean O'Bryan as Officer Max
- Gary Cole as Mr. Wilkinson
- Eve Gordon as Carolyn Wilkinson
- Lauren Maltby as Tracey Wilkinson
- Andrew Lauer as Nolan
- Lesley Boone as Marjorie
See also
In Spanish: I'll Be Home for Christmas (película de 1998) para niños
