National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a 1989 American comedy film directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik and written by John Hughes. It is the third installment in the National Lampoon's Vacation film series, starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid, Dana Barron, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, John Ashton, Miriam Flynn, Edie McClurg, and Brian Doyle Murray.
The film follows the Griswold family as they prepare for Christmas. Clark Griswold (Chase) wants to have the perfect holiday for his family, but things quickly go wrong. His parents and in-laws arrive for the holiday and start bickering immediately. His cousin Eddie (Quaid) and his family also show up and move into their camper van in the Griswold driveway.
Clark also has trouble with his Christmas decorations. He gets electrocuted while trying to hang lights on the roof, and he accidentally sets the tree on fire. Despite all of the setbacks, Clark is determined to have a good Christmas. He eventually gets the decorations up, and he and his family enjoy a big dinner.
In addition to the main plot, the film also features a number of subplots, including:
- Rusty Griswold (Galecki) is more interested in watching TV than participating in Christmas festivities.
- Clark's boss, Frank Shirley (Ashton), is trying to get out of giving Clark a Christmas bonus.
- Eddie's wife, Catherine (Flynn), is pregnant and is due to give birth any day.
The film ends with Clark and his family sitting around the Christmas tree, opening presents. Clark is happy that he was able to give his family a good Christmas, despite all of the setbacks.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a classic comedy film that is still enjoyed by audiences today. It is a funny and heartwarming story about the importance of family, even when things don't go according to plan. The film also explores a number of themes, including the pressure to have a perfect Christmas, the importance of forgiveness, and the true meaning of Christmas.
Here are some additional thoughts on the film:
- The film is a satire of the American Christmas tradition. It pokes fun at the commercialization of the holiday, the pressure to have a perfect Christmas, and the dysfunctional nature of many American families.
- The film is also a celebration of family, even when things are tough. The Griswolds may not be the perfect family, but they love each other and they are there for each other when it counts.
- The film is also very funny. It features a number of memorable scenes, such as Clark getting electrocuted while trying to hang lights on the roof and the Griswolds' Christmas dinner.
Cast
- Chevy Chase as Clark W. "Sparky" Griswold Jr.
- Beverly D'Angelo as Ellen Griswold
- Juliette Lewis as Audrey Griswold. Audrey was previously portrayed by Dana Barron and Dana Hill in the last two films and later by Marisol Nichols in Vegas Vacation
- Johnny Galecki as Russell "Rusty" Griswold. Russ was portrayed by Anthony Michael Hall and Jason Lively in the previous two films and later by Ethan Embry in Vegas Vacation. Notably, this is the only film in which Rusty and Audrey are not the same age, hence Lewis being taller than Galecki.
- John Randolph as Clark Griswold Sr., Clark's father
- Diane Ladd as Nora Griswold, Clark's mother
- E. G. Marshall as Arthur "Art" Smith, Ellen's father
- Doris Roberts as Frances Smith, Ellen's mother
- Miriam Flynn as Catherine Johnson, Ellen's cousin
- Randy Quaid as Eddie Johnson, Catherine's husband
- Cody Burger as Rocky Johnson
- Ellen Hamilton Latzen as Ruby Sue Johnson
- William Hickey as Uncle Lewis
- Mae Questel as Aunt Bethany (Questel's final film role before her death in 1998)
- Sam McMurray as Bill, Clark's co-worker
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Margo Chester, the Griswolds' yuppie neighbor
- Nicholas Guest as Todd Chester, Margo's husband
- Brian Doyle-Murray as Frank Shirley, Clark's boss
- Natalia Nogulich as Helen Shirley, Frank's wife
- Nicolette Scorsese as Mary, a lingerie counter clerk
- Alexander Folk as Lead SWAT Officer
- Jeremy Roberts as cop
- Woody Weaver as cop
- Doug Llewelyn as the voice of the Parade Announcer
- Keith MacKechnie as delivery boy
Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Writer: John Hughes
Box Office Gross: $74,534,399
Distributor: Warner Bros
Genre: comedy
Release Date: December 1, 1989
Related
- National Lampoon's Vacation 1983
- National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985)
- National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation (1997)
- Vacation 2015