The holidays are almost here. Lovers of the season are compiling lists of all the new and old movies to add to the viewing calendar. Christmastime is perhaps the only season of the year that can work with any movie genre. We’ve seen comedy, fantasy, drama, animation,horror in particular, and whatever Hallmark puts out 100 times a year.
While there’s bound to be disagreement about the best Christmas film in each genre, there are several iconic titles that come to mind. In the comedy field, a particular audience favorite isNational Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. The third film in the Chevy Chase-ledVacationfranchise tells the story of the Griswolds' relaxing family Christmas plans disrupted by chaos and relatives.
TheVacationfilms are one of the most iconiccomedy series of the ‘80sand ’90s, and still today. So what makesChristmas Vacation,in particular, hold up? In an era where several older comedies are reexamined through a modern lens,Christmas Vacationremains popular and unproblematic. Many viewers count it among essential holiday viewing. Let’s look at one of the most well-known Christmas comedy films and how it’s stood the test of time for nearly 35 years.
What’s It About?
Released in 1989,National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacationmarked the third entry in theJohn Hughes film franchise. Ironically, it’s the only one where the family does not actually go on vacation. There’s also not one singular plot line. Instead, we follow several comedic hijinks and incidents that all build to a chaotic Christmas celebration.
The slapstick begins almost immediately when the family sets out to cut down a Christmas tree. After a semi-truck nearly runs them off the road, the Griswolds find themselves in the woods looking for the biggest Christmas tree they can find. Clark locates one several dozen feet tall and somehow uproots it from the ground through the power of offscreen magic. After they set up the tree that occupies the entire living room, the family begins to arrive. Both Clark and Ellen’s cantankerous parents show up and immediately start bickering with one another.Vacationfranchise staple Cousin Eddie and his brood park their massive dilapidated RV outside with the intention of staying for several days.
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Throughout the movie, several incidents push Clark to his limit. In the only real overarching plot thread, Clark waits for his promised bonus from work to pay for the family pool he plans to install. Tension builds as Clark struggles to connect the thousands of lights strung up all over the house. After a ruined turkey dinner, everything comes to a head when Clark does not receive his bonus, and the tree is lit on fire. Eddie kidnaps Clark’s boss, who agrees to pay the bonus after seeing how cutting it out hurt the family. The cops burst in to arrest Eddie, though the situation is cleared up and everyone enjoys their Merry Christmas.
So Why Is It Iconic?
christmas vacation
If there’s one thing to which all audiences can relate, it’s dysfunctional family gatherings. We all have that one relative or party that sticks out in a disastrous way. Granted, the Griswolds likely had it much worse. Maybe that’s where some of the staying power comes from. Audiences can look at how badly Clark’s family’s celebration goes off the rails and think, “I’m glad that’s not me.” Seeing someone else have a comically worse time than us is always a good source of laughter.
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If this was a standalone movie, it may not have the same cultural impact. Audiences knew Clark, Ellen, and Eddie before this movie, so they could go in with some idea about what to expect.TheVacationfranchiseis the very embodiment of Murphy’s Law. Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.
Christmas Vacationdid not disappoint in living up to its predecessors. The characters are flawed but fundamentally good people. The movie gives us no one to root against besides Clark’s boss, who only plays a minor role. Sometimes, with a feel-good Christmas comedy, you don’t need a major antagonist. We watch because we want the Griswolds to succeed even after everything life throws at them.
Beyond that, it’s just a funny movie. Every scene has countless one-liners, gags, or slapstick incidents. Chevy Chase is the king of physical comedy and brings everything he has to Clark Griswold. Whether that be driving under a semi-truck, sledding down a hill at 100 mph, or constantly falling off the roof in an attempt to hang Christmas lights (which made its way into real life).
Neighbors Todd and Margo also take the brunt of the slapstick, even though most of it is unintentional.Cartoon physics in live-action moviesis something we don’t see often anymore, soChristmas Vacationis a nice throwback treat for those who just want to laugh at someone getting hurt. Next year will mark 35 years since the movie’s release. Let’s hope we can continue to laugh at the Griswold family’s misfortune for another 35 years.
