It’s a really intimate moment that only highlights his passion for Christmas and why he wants it to be so perfect, despite the constant pitfalls he faces. The film manages to balance its blend of slapstick comedy with really sweet and tender moments, such as the scene where Clark is locked in the attic and so decides to dig out the old 8mm home movies and fondly reminisces of Christmases gone by. Yet Christmas Vacation does something completely different – sure, Clark and Ellen’s parents are the classic Old-American parents who smoke, drink and talk of their ailments but the concept of this family’s Christmas is inherently familiar. There are plenty of films out there that feature the archetypal family-coming-together tropes such as This Christmas and The Family Stone but these films have a heightened sense of dramatization that almost remove the familiar association you can have with these kind of films, particularly when looking at the ridiculous and unbelievable ending to The Family Stone. For me I think it’s because it’s the closest to a real depiction of Christmas as there can be. There’s just something about this film that makes it a classic and one that is mandatory to watch each year. The comedy is quick-fire, a little bit silly but a whole lot of fun and combined with all of the associated themes of Christmas – snow, lights, food, family and sledding – it makes for a really great Christmas film. ![]() The great thing about this film is that although the comedy is exaggerated slapstick and the characters are heightened caricatures, there’s still a sense of reminiscence with our own lives at Christmas, dealing with the trouble and strife of family life. ![]() The kind of slapstick seen in the opening title sequence and first few scenes is an indicator of what’s to come, and is just the kind of comedy needed for a family Christmas film. We then see the Griswold family driving to the Christmas tree farm singing classic carols, with the kids in the back wearing the same tired angsty expression. For me, it’s a Christmas Classic.Ĭhristmas Vacation opens with an animated Father Christmas disastrously delivering presents to households, whilst the song ‘Christmas Vacation’ plays out, signalling tales of things to come. It is the feature of all Christmas TV film runs and is the staple of my annual Christmas diet. Christmas Vacation was released in 1989 with instant success and has since gone on to be regarded as a modern Christmas classic. Written in true 80’s style by the Master John Hughes, the series catapulted Chevy Chase from SNL alumni to movie star. ![]() National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is the third instalment in the Vacation series, featuring the Griswold family on their mishap haphazard adventures.
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