Christmas Vacation (1989) is a beloved American holiday comedy directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik and written by John Hughes. It is the third installment in the National Lampoon series, following National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) and National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985).
The film follows Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase), an optimistic, yet perpetually frustrated father who is determined to create the perfect Christmas for his family. The story unfolds as Clark, a suburban dad, decorates his house with a ridiculous amount of Christmas lights, battles with family dysfunction, and tries to manage his chaotic holiday plans, all while hoping to get a big bonus at work to fund the family’s holiday celebrations.
Clark’s efforts to make everything perfect are constantly thwarted by a series of humorous mishaps, including a disastrous tree installation, over-the-top decorations, and the unexpected arrival of his quirky extended family. His wife, Ellen (played by Beverly D’Angelo), and their children, Audrey (Juliette Lewis) and Rusty (Johnny Galecki), try to support him, but tensions rise as his plans continue to go awry.
One of the central comedic moments revolves around Clark’s ill-fated attempt to secure his Christmas bonus, which results in a wild series of events, including a visit from a particularly eccentric and demanding relative, Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid). The film culminates in a chaotic, yet heartwarming Christmas dinner, where everything, from the tree to the turkey, falls apart, but the Griswold family manages to come together in the end.
The movie is famous for its slapstick humor, memorable quotes, and over-the-top portrayal of holiday stress, and it has since become a holiday classic. It also explores themes of family, expectations versus reality, and the chaos that can come with trying to create the “perfect” holiday.
