“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” is a holiday tradition for many. Myself, included! But that’s not just because it’s a modern holiday classic. Not just because I believe it’s one of the funniest Christmas movies ever made! It’s because I believe it’s one of the funniest movies EVER MADE! Period.
Nearly everyone can relate to the frustrations the characters experience during the Christmas season. From the hustle and bustle of shopping, to the annoyances to decorating, to the stresses of trying to get your holiday meal together, to the patience-straining ordeal of trying to co-exist with extended family.
The Writing
Written by the legendary John Hughes, “Christmas Vacation” was based on a short story he had penned for National Lampoon’s Magazine, called “Christmas ’59”, about his own experiences during one particular Christmas of his childhood. With as many rapid-fire jokes as appear in the film, you’d think a lot of ad-libbing and improvisation was done, as is the case with most modern comedies (sometimes at the expense of the actual plot). But nearly every word spoken on-screen comes directly from Hughes’ script. Including all the classic lines you quote every Christmas! The characters, as large as the ensemble cast is, are all relatable and human.
The Direction
Directed by Canadian director Jeremiah S. Chechi, the movie has that warm, fuzzy aesthetic you’ll find in movies from the 1980’s. At a tight 97 minutes, the pacing of the film is one of its strongest points. The jokes come fast and furious from the animated opening all the way through to the second-to-last shot of the film, as a flaming plastic Santa and his reindeer fly through the night sky after an accidental explosion. And many of the jokes are heightened by the use of humorous jump cuts to the next scene. And it’s all moved forward with the clever inclusion of an advent calendar to show the progression of time.
The Cast
Of the classic “Vacation” films, this one to me, has the definitive Griswald family. If you’re a fan of the series as a whole, you’re aware of the fact that the Griswald kids were recast in every film. But to me – Johnny Galecki and Juliette Lewis were by far the best. Besides the fact that their subsequent success speaks for itself in comparison to any of the other actors who filled the roles, their chemistry with the rest of the cast shows a talent well beyond their years, or experience. The inclusion of “Cousin Eddie” is always welcome in the series, but this is definitely the characters funniest appearance! And the rest of the cast play their parts to perfection as well, including 2 folks who would go on to become sitcom royalty in the 90’s in Doris Roberts of “Everybody Loves Raymond” fame and Juliette Lewis of “Seinfeld”.
So whether you’re sitting down this Christmas to watch it for the very first time, or the 100th: put on your best turtleneck dickie, break out the Jell-O mold, fill your moose mug up with egg nog and get ready to enjoy one of the funniest movies ever made!
