National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Jeremiah Chechik, 1989): USA

Reviewed by William Conlin. Viewed on DVD.

Every December there is at least one night where my house is bursting with laughter. We hold a tradition of watching the classic comedy National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and we usually laugh so hard we decide to watch it again later in the month. Although some parts of it are highly dated, this film gives you plenty of laughs and plenty of Christmas cheer.

When everyone’s favorite family man, Clark Griswald (Chevy Chase) decides to have a “fun old-fashion family Christmas” the rest of his family cringes. Clark has invited his and his wife’s parents along with distant uncles and aunts. While his family copes with the deluge of bickering family members, Clark spends his time on the roof putting up so many lights it drains Chicago’s power supply. Clark also hopes to surprise his family with a swimming pool for Christmas, but a problem with his boss may change the outcome of his Christmas bonus.

Though this film can’t boast incredible cinematography and sound mixing (in fact it’s pretty corny at times), it can boast a great screenplay filled to the brim with one-liner’s and plenty of irony. With a supporting cast featuring Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Dianne Ladd, Randy Quaid, Doris Roberts and a pre-Seinfeld Julia Louis-Dreyfus, it’s a sure bet every joke will be delivered perfectly.

So if you’re interested in and hour and a half of classic 80’s comedy, watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, it’s definitely worth a viewing this holiday season.