Overview:
During the month of December, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989) is in constant rotation. It’s interesting looking at how this film still resonates with people 36 years later. In my opinion, the film provides an outlet for people during the stresses of the holiday season. It reassures them that every family has problems, no holiday season is perfect, everyone has problems at work, but in the end, things can work out.
Timeless Classic
December is a month in which “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989) is all over the television screens. Since this film’s release in 1989, people have quoted it to the nth degree. Moreover, they have cosplayed as many memorable characters.
For a movie like “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” to maintain such mainstream popularity for 36 years begs a question: What is the appeal of the film?
I have taken the time to discuss some of the aspects of the 1989 comedy classic. These aspects keep it fresh in the eyes of the viewing public.
Celebrating the Holidays Is Hard Work for Everyone
While people love to envision a perfect holiday season, it’s very hard to come by. I feel that part of the appeal of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” is that it reinforces to people that celebrating the holidays is hard work for everyone.
In “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” the Griswolds are an upper-middle-class family living in the Chicago suburbs. Although that may sound to some like a family that celebrates holidays with no problem, the Griswolds prove this certainly isn’t always the case.
Funny Christmas Shenanigans
The comedy exhibited by the character Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase), as well as many others in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” is a huge factor in the film’s ongoing relevance. Many scenes in the movie involve the Griswolds and their extended family members. These scenes feature them involved in some of the most hilarious scenarios. The following are several of them.
- Oversized and Overburnt Christmas Tree
The beginning of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” sees the Griswolds on the hunt for a live Christmas tree to chop down. They end up choosing the largest tree in the lot. They somehow chop it down, even after realizing they didn’t bring a saw.
At home, the Griswolds can barely fit the tree they chose in their living room. In addition, sap sticks to everything. On Christmas night, the tree goes up in flames when the character of Uncle Lewis (William Hickey) lights a cigar. That didn’t mean the Griswolds wouldn’t find another one.
- Squirrel!!
After the Griswold family’s Christmas tree perishes, Clark goes outside to saw down a smaller one in his yard. Unbeknownst to him, a squirrel is residing within this tree. Craziness breaks loose as the squirrel makes its presence known in the Griswold’s house. ‘Snot,’ the large dog owned by Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid), chases the squirrel.
The squirrel incident resolves itself when the rodent exits the Griswold’s door, with Snot not far behind. It falls into the arms of Margo Chester (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Margo is the Griswold’s snooty neighbor who has come over to confront Clark concerning possible property damage. After all was said and done, there’s heavy damage in the Griswolds’ home.
- The Lights Shine Brightly
At home, Clark Griswold is trying to decorate extravagantly by covering his entire residence with lights. However, it’s an extremely difficult task.
Clark gets lights to cover the entire house, but issues force him to use a staple gun to make sure all the strings are attached. Even when that is complete, he has serious issues getting his house to light due to faulty wiring and other problems. Finally, Clark gets the lights to work. However, this is not without causing his neighbor, Margo, and her boyfriend to spill wine all over their carpet due to the intense glare shining in their windows.
Everyone Has Work Problems
In addition to how “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” reassures viewers that most holiday seasons are hectic for everyone, it also comforts people in knowing that everyone has work issues. The Griswolds are an upper-middle-class family living in suburban Chicago. Although their lives may seem ideal to some, this proves to be only on the surface. In addition to family quarreling, Clark’s situation at work is not as pristine as one would think.
Clark Griswold is a product manager in the prepared food industry. His boss is greedy, pompous, and uncaring of those who contribute to his company. Clark is counting on a huge holiday bonus, but somehow it gets lost in the mail. A letter eventually makes its way to the Griswolds’ home in the midst of the family shenanigans.
It turns out it’s not a bonus but a membership to the Jelly of the Month Club. Clark erupts in fury, vowing, only sarcastically, to get even with his boss. Cousin Eddie takes these promises seriously. He takes it upon himself to drive to Clark’s boss’s home, abducting him, and taking him to the Griswolds’ home to apologize. Chaos ensues as a SWAT team comes to the Griswolds’ home. Although understandably furious, Clark’s boss sees the long faces of all of the family members and agrees to give him a bonus and then some.
In the end, it shows that no matter how prestigious one’s occupation may appear, there’s always conflict and tension.
No Family Is Perfect
In the age of social media, many people only showcase the positive highlights of their lives, especially during the holidays. This leads people to give in to the perception that both people’s family lives and holiday gatherings are flawless. As a result, people often become jealous and depressed. I feel that one of the reasons “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” resonates with people today is that it shows that no family is perfect, no matter how appealing a holiday photo may appear.
It is seen early on in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” that not only do the Griswold children not get along, but neither do the parents of Clark, and those of his wife Helen (Beverly D’Angelo) certainly don’t either. In the case of Cousin Eddie and his wife and children, it’s not that Clark doesn’t get along with them. It’s more that they are a nuisance.
Things Can Work Out In the End
The final aspect of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” that I feel keeps the film just as relevant 36 years later is that it shows people that no matter how many problems arise, things can work out in the end. Despite the destruction of the Griswold house, Clark’s boss’s abduction, and a SWAT team called to the residence, everyone has a very merry Christmas in the end.
A little comic relief comes when Uncle Lewis, who had previously set the Christmas tree on fire with his cigar, causes an explosion when he throws another cigar down the sewer, which contains remnants of Cousin Eddie’s septic tank. As a result, a Santa Claus and reindeer set that Clark had put together flies into the sky. Things worked out in the end. Clark lets out a sigh and says, “I did it.”
Sources:
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” (1989). Directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik.
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