Vegas Vacation is a 1997 American comedy film directed by Stephen Kessler and written by Elisa Bell, based on a story by Bell and Bob Ducsay. It is the fourth installment in the National Lampoon's Vacation film series, and stars Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid, Wayne Newton, Ethan Embry, and Marisol Nichols.
Plot
The film opens with Clark Griswold (Chase) winning a trip to Las Vegas on a game show. He is excited to take his wife, Ellen (D'Angelo), and their children, Rusty (Embry) and Audrey (Nichols), on a romantic getaway. However, things quickly go wrong when the family arrives in Vegas.
Clark immediately starts losing money at the blackjack table, while Ellen develops a crush on lounge performer Wayne Newton. Rusty becomes obsessed with playing dice, and Audrey ends up in seedy nightclubs.
Clark also gets into a number of misadventures, including getting lost in the desert, being chased by casino security, and accidentally blowing up a hotel room. Despite all of the setbacks, the Griswolds eventually reunite and renew their vows.
Critical reception
The film Vegas Vacation was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It was praised for its humor, its heartwarming story, and its satire of Las Vegas. The film also spawned a number of memorable quotes, such as "Vegas, baby, Vegas!" and "I'm the luckiest man in the world. I have a beautiful wife, two wonderful kids, and a job that I love."
Legacy
Vegas 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 and a satire of the Las Vegas experience. The film has also been credited with inspiring a new generation of travelers to visit Las Vegas.
Additional thoughts
Overall, Vegas 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 and a satire of the Las Vegas experience.
The film Vegas Vacation also explores the themes of temptation and excess. Las Vegas is a city that is known for its casinos, nightclubs, and other forms of entertainment. The film shows how these temptations can lead to bad decisions and negative consequences. However, the film also shows that it is possible to have a good time in Las Vegas without getting into trouble.
The film Vegas Vacation is a reminder that it is important to be aware of our own limitations and to set boundaries for ourselves.
Cast
- Chevy Chase as Clark W. Griswold
- Beverly D'Angelo as Ellen Griswold
- Ethan Embry as Russell "Rusty" Griswold. He was portrayed by Anthony Michael Hall, Jason Lively, and Johnny Galecki in the previous films.
- Marisol Nichols as Audrey Griswold. She was portrayed by Dana Barron, Dana Hill, and Juliette Lewis in the previous films.
- Randy Quaid as Eddie Johnson, the cousin-in-law of Clark and Ellen
- Wayne Newton as himself
- Wallace Shawn as Marty
- Miriam Flynn as Catherine Johnson, the cousin of Ellen and wife of Eddie
Siegfried & Roy as themselves - Sid Caesar as Mr. Ellis
- Shae D'lyn as Vicki Johnson. She was previously portrayed by Jane Krakowski in the first film.
- Juliette Brewer as Ruby Sue Johnson. She was previously portrayed by Ellen Hamilton Latzen in the previous film.
- Zack Moyes as Denny Johnson
- Christie Brinkley as "Girl in the Red Ferrari"
- Julia Sweeney as Mirage desk clerk
- Jerry Weintraub as "Jilly from Philly"
- Toby Huss as a Frank Sinatra impersonator who Rusty gets a fake ID from.
Director: Stepehn Kessler
Writers: Elisa BellBob Ducsay
Box Office Gross: $36,400,360
Distributor: Warner Bros
Genre: comedy
Release Date: February 14, 1997
Related:
- National Lampoon's Vacation 1983
- National Lampoon's European Vacation 1985
- National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 1989
- Vacation 2015
Vacation (2015)