There are so many Christmas movies to choose from each holiday season, but by far one of the best is “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” I first saw the film myself at my local Alamo Drafthouse (a popular dine-in theater that I highly recommend) to celebrate the film’s 25th anniversary in December 2014. It feels like just yesterday, made creepier by the fact that the little cousin I saw the movie with is now 12! Since then, I have viewed the movie with my family at least once every year, including again at the Alamo this year! So, what makes this movie so special?
Starring SNL alum Chevy Chase as family man Clark Griswold, Beverly D’Angelo as his wife, Ellen and Randy Quaid as their eccentric cousin Eddie, the third film in the “National Lampoon’s Vacation” franchise epitomizes everything that could potentially go awry with the titular holiday gathering. The film sees Clark determined to create the perfect Christmas for his family, complete with a ginormous tree, extravagant decorations, and a traditional family holiday. As the audience expects, virtually nothing goes to plan, thanks
to a series of chaotic and delightfully comedic mishaps, all of which continually test Clark’s Christmas spirit. But let’s discuss some of the highlights.Have you ever forgotten to bring a saw when collecting your family Christmas tree? Well, then much like Clark Griswold, you’d have to uproot it and strap it to the roof of your car! And hypothetically, if you’re crazy uncle burnt down the tree? You would of course have to damage your neighbors’
(one of whom is snobbishly and humorously portrayed by Julia Louis Dreyfus at the start of her “Seinfeld” fame) property to attain a replacement, just as long as there is no squirrel lurking within. Yes, a squirrel actually jumps from the tree and wreaks havoc within the Griswold household! It is no wonder that between occurrences such as these and being denied the holiday bonus he has reneged, Clark eventually loses it in one of the best cinematic meltdowns, which ends with “WHERE’S THE TYLENOL?!” Kudos to Chevy Chase, who shines as the accident-prone but well-meaning Clark, who delivers laugh-out-loud and those of genuine emotion. As you can see, “National Lampoon’s
Continuing with the concept of performances, Clark’s immediate family, such as Beverly D’Angelo’s Ellen and pre-”The Big Bang Theory,” Johnny Galecki as their son Rusty(apparently, this movie is welcoming to sitcom stars – I did not even mention Doris Roberts who eventually stars in “Everybody Loves Raymond”) act as steadying forces for him. In conclusion, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation has become a holiday classic, cherished for its humor and relatability. Its iconic moments, such as the outrageous house decorations and Clark’s Christmas bonus meltdown, ensure it remains a staple of my holiday movie marathons. And thank you to Alamo Drafthouse for introducing me to this great movie and for the Christmas tree air freshener!
