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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
1989 97 min United States of America PG-13 12+
★7.1
Comedy
Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Trailers
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Description
It's Christmastime, and the Griswolds are preparing for a family seasonal celebration. But things never run smoothly for Clark, his wife Ellen, and their two kids. Clark's continual bad luck is worsened by his obnoxious family guests, but he manages to keep going, knowing that his Christmas bonus is due soon.
Budget:
$27M
US Gross:
$75.48M
Worldwide:
$74.54M
Starring
Chevy Chase
Actor
Beverly D'Angelo
Actor
Juliette Lewis
Actor
Key opinion
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is widely embraced as a nostalgic holiday staple that captures the chaos of family gatherings with enduring, slapstick charm. While many viewers find it a heartwarming and funny tradition, critics are polarized by its uneven storytelling and occasional reliance on crude or nonsensical humor.
| Culture | The film successfully captures the chaotic spirit of the holiday season, becoming a recurring seasonal tradition for many families. | |
| Acting | Chevy Chase delivers a magnetic and committed performance that serves as the anchor for the Griswold family's dysfunctional misadventures. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay effectively utilizes relatable holiday stress and domestic disasters as a foundation for its situational comedy. | |
| Humor | Critics are divided on the humor: many find the slapstick physical comedy hilarious and timeless, while others perceive it as forced, mean-spirited, or nonsensical. | |
| Editing | The narrative structure receives criticism for being disjointed, with some reviewers noting unresolved subplots and abrupt editing choices. | |
| Theme | Opinions on the film's thematic resonance are split; some appreciate its heartfelt message about family togetherness, while others find the character motivations and family dynamics underdeveloped. |