National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Cast: Chevy Chase (Clark Griswold), Beverly D’Angelo (Ellen Griswold), Randy Quaid (Cousin Eddie), Juliette Lewis (Audrey Griswold), Johnny Galecki (Rusty Griswold), Doris Roberts (Mrs. Shirley), William Hickey (Uncle Lewis)
Genre: Comedy, Holiday
Release Date: December 1, 1989

Plot Overview:

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is the third installment in the National Lampoon’s Vacation film series, following National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) and European Vacation (1985). Directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik, the film centers on Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase), a well-meaning but often bumbling suburban father, as he attempts to create the perfect Christmas holiday for his family.

As always, things go awry in typical Griswold fashion. From the moment Clark starts planning the Christmas festivities, everything seems to spiral out of control. From his frustrations with his job to his over-the-top decorations, the holiday season becomes a series of hilarious misadventures, made even more chaotic by the arrival of his eccentric relatives.

Clark’s dream of a perfect Christmas involves everything from a massive light display on his house to a surprise visit from his out-of-work cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) and his equally dysfunctional family. As the holiday season builds to its chaotic climax, Clark finds himself on a quest to ensure that everyone has a merry Christmas, no matter how disastrous things may get.

Key Plot Points:

1. The Christmas Lights Fiasco: Clark’s ambitious attempt to cover his house with 25,000 twinkling Christmas lights is one of the most iconic scenes of the film. His obsessive determination to create the most spectacular holiday display leads to multiple comedic mishaps, including a blackout that affects the entire neighborhood.
2. Cousin Eddie’s Arrival: The Griswold family’s holiday takes a turn for the worse when Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) shows up uninvited with his family. Eddie is a lovable but obnoxious character whose constant lack of social awareness and inappropriate behavior creates countless awkward and hilarious moments throughout the movie. From his bizarre gift-giving habits to his oddball family dynamics, Eddie’s presence adds a unique brand of chaos to the holiday season.
3. The Bonus Nightmare: Clark eagerly anticipates a Christmas bonus from his employer, which he plans to use for a swimming pool in his backyard. However, when he receives a membership to a “Jelly of the Month” club instead of the expected cash, it sends him into a humorous meltdown, culminating in a memorable rant.
4. The Christmas Tree Disaster: In an attempt to give his family the perfect Christmas tree, Clark brings home an enormous tree that’s too big for their living room. In his struggle to make it fit, Clark inadvertently causes further destruction in his home, leading to a series of increasingly ridiculous events.
5. The Cat Incident: Clark’s attempt to make the holidays merry and bright turns disastrous when his wife Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo) unknowingly allows their pet cat to chew through the Christmas tree lights, causing it to explode. The aftermath, with Clark’s attempt to salvage the situation, leads to more slapstick chaos.
6. The Holiday Climax: The film’s climax is a wild series of events where everything goes wrong at once — the lights short-circuit, the house catches fire, and even the family’s Christmas dinner is ruined. But despite the chaos, the Griswold family comes together for a heartwarming ending, where they embrace the chaos of their lives and enjoy the true meaning of the holidays.

Themes:

1. The Pursuit of the Perfect Christmas: Clark Griswold’s obsessive desire for a picture-perfect holiday serves as a satirical commentary on the pressure and unrealistic expectations that many people place on themselves during the holiday season. Despite his best efforts, everything goes wrong, which highlights the chaos and unpredictability of family holidays.
2. Family Dysfunction: Christmas Vacation embraces the idea of family as both a source of joy and frustration. While the Griswolds’ relatives (especially Cousin Eddie and his quirky family) drive Clark to the brink of insanity, the film also emphasizes the importance of family togetherness, love, and support during the holidays.
3. The Joy of Imperfection: Throughout the film, the Griswolds’ holiday experience is anything but smooth, yet by the end, the family finds joy in the imperfections. Clark’s failed attempts to create the perfect Christmas show that sometimes the most memorable moments come from things going awry.
4. Holiday Consumerism: The film also subtly critiques the commercialization of Christmas. Clark’s excitement about gifts and the bonus, as well as his constant desire to impress with his extravagant decorations and gifts, reflects the holiday pressures of consumerism. However, the film ultimately suggests that the heart of Christmas isn’t about materialism but about the bonds of family and shared experiences.

Notable Scenes:

• Clark’s Christmas Lights Display: One of the most iconic scenes in the movie is when Clark Griswold struggles to get his elaborate Christmas lights display working, only for the lights to momentarily dazzle and then short-circuit, causing the entire neighborhood to lose power. The way he reacts — first with hope and then with exasperation — has become a hallmark of holiday humor.
• The Squirrel in the Christmas Tree: Another memorable sequence involves a squirrel hiding in the Griswold’s Christmas tree. When the tree is brought into the house, the squirrel suddenly leaps out, causing chaos as the family tries to catch it. This chaotic scene is one of the most absurd moments of slapstick comedy in the movie.
• Clark’s Meltdown: After receiving the disappointing membership to the “Jelly of the Month Club” instead of his anticipated Christmas bonus, Clark has an explosive rant in front of his family. His over-the-top reaction and hilarious breakdown are among the film’s most quotable and memorable moments.
• The “Shitter’s Full” Moment: One of the most famous and quoted lines from the film comes when Cousin Eddie, played by Randy Quaid, empties his RV’s sewage tank into the street. Eddie’s deadpan delivery of “Shitter’s full” has become a comedic classic.

Critical Reception:

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation was initially met with mixed reviews, but over time, it has become one of the most beloved Christmas comedies of all time. Critics praised the film’s slapstick humor, Chevy Chase’s performance as the well-meaning but bumbling Clark Griswold, and the overall wacky chaos of the film. The humor, while exaggerated and absurd, strikes a chord with viewers who find the Griswolds’ holiday misadventures both hilarious and relatable.

The film has grown into a holiday classic, often aired on television during the Christmas season. It has become an essential part of many families’ holiday traditions, with its memorable quotes, zany humor, and heartwarming message about family.

Legacy:

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation has since become a holiday favorite, known for its unforgettable characters, laugh-out-loud humor, and ability to capture the messy, chaotic side of the holiday season. The movie is a yearly tradition for many viewers, and its influence can be seen in later holiday films and sitcoms that embrace similarly absurd humor and family dynamics.

The film is widely regarded as one of the best Christmas comedies ever made, with Chevy Chase’s portrayal of Clark Griswold becoming a pop culture icon. The movie has also inspired a wide range of merchandise, including Christmas ornaments, clothing, and DVDs, cementing its place in holiday pop culture.

Fun Fact:

• The iconic scene where Clark Griswold is attacked by a Christmas tree squirrel was shot using a trained squirrel. The crew had to be creative in capturing the chaotic energy of the scene, but the real star of the moment was the squirrel’s unexpected antics.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a timeless holiday comedy that continues to bring laughter to audiences every Christmas season, reminding us all that sometimes the best holiday memories come from the most unexpected and chaotic moments.