NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION (1989)
Film of the Day #240 - 25 Days of Christmas Movies #19
NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION
1989 • Jeremiah S. ChechikCast: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, John Randolph, Diane Ladd, E. G. Marshall, Doris Roberts, Miriam Flynn, William Hickey, Mae Questel, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Brian Doyle-Murray
Screenplay: John Hughes; Based on Characters by John Hughes
Cinematography: Thomas E. Ackerman
Music: Angelo Badalamenti
Producers: John Hughes, Tom Jacobson
Warner Bros.
Nobody’s walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We’re all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We’re gonna press on, and we’re gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he’s gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse.
In this holiday comedy from 1989, Clark Griswold, the quintessential suburban dad played by Chevy Chase, is determined to create the perfect Christmas for his family. His grand plans include decorating the house with an extravagant display of lights that can be seen from space. However, as Clark's ambitions grow, so does the chaos. As Clark tries to maintain the holiday spirit, mishaps pile up, from malfunctioning Christmas lights to a disastrous sled ride. Meanwhile, his workplace bonus, which he was counting on to fund a new swimming pool, is M.I.A. Amidst the comedic chaos, the Griswold family discovers the true meaning of Christmas: the importance of family, love, and laughter. Through all the mayhem, Clark's determination to create the perfect holiday celebration persists, leading to an unforgettable Christmas for the Griswold clan.
If you don’t like the Vacation movies, then you have no sense of humor. (OK, I’m not counting Vegas Vacation, we all know that was terrible.) Just like the other Vacation movies, this focuses on the immortal movie dad Clark Griswold trying his God damn hardest to give his family the best vacation in the world. Instead of Wally World or Europe, in this film, Clark takes on the biggest of all holidays: Christmas.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation takes you into the chaotic world of Clark Griswold through a series of stitched-together sketches of Christmas mishaps. Setting the tone for the film is Clark’s quest for an absurdly large family Christmas tree. From there, we transition to Clark's ambitious quest to create the mother of all Christmas light displays. Enter the quarrels with the neighbors, with a young Julia Louis-Dreyfus making a memorable appearance. Cousin Eddie's unexpected arrival is a scene-stealer, bringing a whole new level of eccentricity to the Griswold family gathering. His redneck antics, combined with Clark's increasingly desperate attempts to salvage the holiday, create a perfect storm of Christmas insanity. As if that weren't enough, the plot thickens with Clark's missing bonus check, an overcooked turkey that could double as a charcoal briquette, and the misfortune of getting stuck in the attic. The mishaps continue to pile up like snowdrifts, from a burnt-down Christmas tree to Clark's futile attempts to keep the holiday spirit alive. Each scene unfolds with impeccable timing, showcasing Chevy Chase's comedic prowess and the film's knack for turning everyday holiday moments into unforgettable disasters.
Chevy Chase showcases a mastery of over-the-top comedy. From the moment the film kicks off, Chase fully embraces the absurd wholesomeness of Clark Griswold, turning him into a larger-than-life figure who seems to exist in a world of his own. The slapstick humor, while initially seemingly excessive, becomes a vital component of the film's comedic rhythm. In one memorable moment, Clark's frustration with malfunctioning Christmas lights reaches a hilarious climax when he takes out his anger on the innocent plastic decorations in his front yard. This scene not only demonstrates Chase's impeccable timing and physicality but also showcases his commitment to the role, as he ad-libbedly broke his pinky finger during this very take, and the filmmakers decided to keep it in the final cut. Chase's performance walks a fine line between reality and absurdity, making Clark Griswold feel like a live-action cartoon character. Whether he's sledding down an icy hill at breakneck speed or engaging in a disastrous encounter with a squirrel-infested Christmas tree, his ability to seamlessly blend slapstick with genuine emotional investment in the character is what elevates the film to a classic.
The ensemble cast is a crucial ingredient in the film's recipe for comedic brilliance. Beyond Chevy Chase's iconic performance, each member of the supporting cast brings a unique flavor to the chaotic charm of the Griswold family's holiday misadventures. Beverly D'Angelo shines as Ellen Griswold, Clark’s long-suffering housewife. Her subtle yet effective comedic timing and ability to navigate the absurdity of the Griswold family dynamic make her an essential part of the film's success. Diane Ladd, E.G. Marshall, Doris Roberts, Juliette Lewis, John Randolph, William Hickey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Johnny Galecki, and Mae Questel form a stellar ensemble, each actor bringing their A-game to the table. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, in one of her early film roles, plays the stuck-up neighbor Margo, who becomes an unwitting target of Clark's disastrous holiday plans. The escalating rivalry between the Griswolds and their neighbors is a hilarious subplot filled with comedic gold. (“Why is the carpet wet, Todd?” “I don’t KNOW, Margo!”)
However, the true standout among the supporting cast is Randy Quaid, reprising his role as Cousin Eddie. Quaid's portrayal of the quirky and oblivious redneck Eddie is nothing short of legendary. His laugh-out-loud moments, marked by a combination of bizarre fashion choices, unexpected arrivals in an RV, and a lack of self-awareness, elevate the film to comedic greatness. His most memorable scene involves emptying his RV's sewage into the Griswold's storm drain, resulting in a neighborhood-wide catastrophe. (“Merry Christmas! Shitter was full!”) Quaid's deadpan delivery is a perfect counterpoint to Chase. His absurdity becomes a perfect foil to Clark's increasingly desperate attempts at maintaining a picture-perfect Christmas. Randy Quaid's presence in Christmas Vacation is so iconic that his character has become synonymous with the film itself.
In the end, poor Clark Griswold can't catch a break, but that's precisely what makes National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation a timeless treat. What makes this movie a classic is its ability to be both heartwarming and hilarious simultaneously. Clark's relentless pursuit of the perfect family Christmas is filled with comedic disasters, all while maintaining the warm, fuzzy holiday spirit.
Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, kiss my ass. Kiss his ass. Kiss your ass. Happy Hanukkah.
Streaming: MAX, Hulu, AMC+
Digital Rental/Purchase: Available at major digital retailers
Physical Media: Available on 4K, Blu-Ray and DVD
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc335919b-3d9f-45ab-877d-26541a244866_1417x2120.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F18ccf7e7-a3a1-4009-97f8-0e6785599d02_1411x800.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F53f55d6a-222a-4cdc-bb21-aac3d65d1b2d_1777x999.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc4ef0523-7b67-46db-9af3-9b6db1fc7366_1280x720.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe49bc4d7-d146-42e9-90a7-7704f9f0a692_4503x2500.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa08d373c-a2f4-487e-8e91-816ce449dcb6_465x253.jpeg)