There’s one word that instantly brings to mind the joys and holiday spirit
we all look forward to each Christmas season. Just one word personifies
family, fun and feasts. That word isn’t “Santa” or “gifts” or “snow.”
That word my friends, is “Griswold.”
In National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, mistake-prone patriarch
Clark W. Griswold throws caution (and previous family disasters aside)
and embarks on a brand new
adventure –
hosting the best Christmas that he and his family have ever had. The
third installment of the Griswold series, in my opinion rivals the
initial National Lampoon’s Vacation
as the best of the bunch. The Griswolds remind us that even throughout
all the insanity of the season, it’s family that makes
it memorable.
This is Chevy Chase doing what he does best....being laughable and
laudable at the exact same time. As “Clark,” his heart proves to be even
bigger than his aspirations, and when those aspirations include
decorating his house with “250 strands of lights, 100 individual bulbs
per strand, for a grand total of 25,000 imported Italian twinkle
lights,” that’s a BIG heart! Personally, this movie is my favorite
Christmas movie of all time, just beating out A Christmas Story (and
Die Hard...). There’s something inspiring about watching a movie
where despite an obscene amount of obstacles, Christmas can still go on.
Even when a home is ravaged by both a squirrel and a SWAT team, nothing
can take the spirit out of a loving family.
Here’s Clark at his best in the lingerie department:
Christmas Vacation isn’t a Miracle on 34th Street or It’s a
Wonderful Life type of film. You probably won’t find yourself
tearing up from any heartfelt speeches or overly sentimental moments. It
is, however, still a feel good family movie that everyone can watch and
enjoy. Everyone has their very own “Cousin
Eddie” in their life, or can relate to wanting to kidnap their boss
due to not getting a Christmas bonus. Who hasn’t wanted to tell their
snobby neighbors where they can stick a Christmas tree? The Griswolds
prevail despite their problems by staying together and not succumbing to
disaster. So watch it over and over this holiday season with your
family, friends and anyone else who needs to laugh. Just don’t go
picking up the sequel.... It’s actually worse than European Vacation....and that’s hard to do.
So here’s wishing you the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby
tap-danced with Danny f#$%!ing Kaye!
Follow
Ryan on Twitter @ryanzonline
There’s one word that instantly brings to mind the joys and holiday spirit
we all look forward to each Christmas season. Just one word personifies
family, fun and feasts. That word isn’t “Santa” or “gifts” or “snow.”
That word my friends, is “Griswold.”
