National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

  Guest Post authored by our very own intern Dean-O

When you think about the holiday classics, your mind might jump to movies like “It’s a Wonderful Life”, “Miracle on 34th Street” or “White Christmas”. While these are all great movies, I think a holiday classic should also reflect on real life. Often times, our holidays are a jumbled mess of family tension, stress from preparing for the events and the added element of concern over the trials and tribulations of our everyday lives. This is why I love Nationals Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. It is the quintessential “comedy of errors” yet it encapsulates our real life challenges better than any holiday movie I’ve come across . The hero of this tale is Clark Griswold, and like every hero, Clark has a fatal flaw. He sets expectations so high for family events that they are impossible to live up to. Still, Clark pours everything he has into the achievement of his vision of the perfect family holiday…and we all get to sit back and relish in the comedy that ensues. One of the most appealing aspects of this film are the layers of comedy that are on display: over-the-top physical comedy, sight gags, witty dialogue, some understated delivery, polarizing characters and the interaction between them. Don’t even get me started on the interplay between Clark and Cousin Eddie – there’s enough material there to warrant it’s own review! Above all else, it’s also a holiday film that has stood the test of time. It first hit theaters over 20 years ago, yet Clark still manages to set the bar for holiday excess today – from 14 foot trees in a house with 8 foot ceilings to enough outdoor illumination to kick in the auxiliary power at the nuclear plant. It’s as relevant today as it was back in the late 80’s. Christmas Vacation really is the gift that keeps giving the whole year. Settling in with kith and kin (and some hot chocolate and Baileys) to watch this movie the day after Thanksgiving every year marks the official start to the holiday season. I’d recommend it for you, too. Watch Christmas Vacation this holiday season and you’ll have the hap hap happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap danced with Danny F’ing Kaye!

NBM rates National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation - Phenomenal

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