National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - A Movie Review

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"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" was released in 1989 and is an American Christmas comedy written by the great John Hughes. The budget of $25 million brought in receipts of $71.3 million. CAST Chevy Chase - Clark W. "Sparky" Griswold, Jr. Beverly D'Angelo - Ellen Griswold Juliette Lewis - Audrey Griswold Johnny Galecki - Rusty Griswold John Randolph - Clark W. Griswold, Sr. Diane Ladd - Nora Griswold E. G. Marshall - Art Smith Doris Roberts - Frances Smith Randy Quaid - Cousin Eddie Johnson Miriam Flynn - Cousin Catherine Johnson The movie opens with Clark and Ellen Griswold singing Christmas carols on their way with the kids to a Christmas tree farm in the country. When they find the tree that they like, Rusty reminds Clark that he forgot to bring the saw. The next shot shows the uprooted tree on top of the car. Clark's and Ellen's parents arrive; but their bickering gets to be annoying. Clark is determined to have a "fun old-fashioned family Christmas" in spite of everything that goes wrong. He covers the house with 25,000 lights which fail to work; and Clark loses his cool and starts kicking the plastic Santa and reindeer. Ellen saves the day; and the lights go on, temporarily causing a citywide power outage. Cousin Eddie arrives unexpectedly in his RV with wife Catherine and children Rocky and Ruby Sue and their dog Snots. Needless to say, nothing ever goes right in Clark's world. One other problem remains...Clark hasn't received his Christmas bonus; and he was counting on getting it to cover the down payment he made on a swimming pool for the family. If you want to know what else happens in this movie, you'll have to watch it. It's one funny mishap after the other. I've seen this movie several times; and I always watch it during the Christmas season. It has become a classic; and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, especially if you are a fan of the "Vacation" movies. This movie is rated PG-13. Photo Credit: Pixabay