When thinking of a good Christmas movie, it is hard to determine what criteria it holds. A good Christmas movie must embody the Christmas spirit and have a comedic feel. But a great movie must have both of these elements. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a funny, heartwarming movie that evokes nostalgia from viewers. This embodies all good elements of a Christmas movie, making it a true classic.
The film follows a family and their Christmas break. The holiday stress is getting to each member of the family, but the overly cheerful Clark Griswold decides to invite his entire family over for the break. The film follows the chaotic family and Clark’s attempts to make their Christmas perfect.
Chaos in the film begins with the family’s journey to get their Christmas tree. Instead of going to a regular farm, Clark makes the decision to go to a forest. Their adventure takes so long that Audrey’s face freezes. After the tiring and useless journey, the Griswold family gets home to decorate. Clark has a vision of a perfect Christmas, and goes all-out with lights and decorations making it the best yet.
The movie truly begins once the relatives arrive because the small household becomes filled with all different types of people. Despite everyone’s disagreement with the arrangement, Clark continues to push for the best Christmas yet. Although the disorder continues to disrupt the family, they stay together.
Although the fast-paced and chaotic movie can draw people away, this shows the Christmas Spirit through the adversary they fought. Clark constantly reiterates his two goals, making this a perfect Christmas for his entire family and receiving his long-awaited Christmas bonus. With animals in the tree and a dried out turkey, the whole “perfect” Christmas plan goes to waste.
While nothing worked out for the holidays, Clark begins to learn that he is lucky to have family, and friends around him. The movie has a heartwarming ending, reminding us how lucky we are to have family, even without gifts and presents. This is the best Christmas movie because of how complete it is. Although it is a comedy it still represents what Christmas is about, which is to be thankful for those around us.
