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National Lampoon's Vacation
1983 99 min United States of America R 16+
★7.3
Comedy, Adventure
Director: Harold Ramis
Trailers
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Teaser
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Description
Clark Griswold is on a quest to take his family to the Walley World theme park for a vacation, but things don't go exactly as planned.
Budget:
$15M
US Gross:
$61.42M
Worldwide:
$61.42M
Starring
Chevy Chase
Actor
Beverly D'Angelo
Actor
Imogene Coca
Actor
Key opinion
National Lampoon's Vacation is widely regarded as a cult classic of the road-trip genre, praised for its chemistry and influence. While many viewers cherish its absurd, relentless humor and nostalgic value, others find the film's reliance on cruel, dated material and a morally questionable protagonist off-putting.
| Acting | The ensemble cast, led by Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo, is universally praised for establishing the dynamic that defines the Griswold family. | |
| Screenplay | The script by John Hughes successfully employs a high-energy road-trip template that effectively strings together a series of increasingly absurd mishaps. | |
| Theme | The film functions as a sharp, satirical look at the American suburban family and regional stereotypes. | |
| Humor | Opinions on the humor are divided; supporters enjoy the dark, chaotic absurdity, while critics find the tone cruel, vulgar, and outdated by modern standards. | |
| Acting | The characterization of Clark Griswold is polarizing; some view him as a resilient, dedicated patriarch, while others perceive him as selfish, detached, and ruthless. | |
| Originality | Viewers disagree on the film's enduring appeal; long-time fans see it as a timeless classic, whereas new or contemporary viewers often find the narrative naive or difficult to connect with. |