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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

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Movie Info & Cast

Synopsis

As the holidays approach, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) wants to have a perfect family Christmas, so he pesters his wife, Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo), and children, as he tries to make sure everything is in line, including the tree and house decorations. However, things go awry quickly. His hick cousin, Eddie (Randy Quaid), and his family show up unplanned and start living in their camper on the Griswold property. Even worse, Clark's employers renege on the holiday bonus he needs.

Cast

  • Chevy Chase
  • Beverly D'Angelo
  • Randy Quaid
  • Diane Ladd
  • John Randolph
  • E.G. Marshall
  • Doris Roberts
  • Julia Louis-Dreyfus
  • Mae Questel
  • William Hickey

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Reviews

Metacritic

38

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is yet another factory product that plays more like a marketing strategy than a comedy. Like the other farces bearing the National Lampoon brand label, it's a comedy of obliviousness - family man Chevy Chase refuses to alter his sentimental notions of family rituals despite repeatedly being slammed in the face with evidence of how far short of his expectations they fall. Here, the word vacation is a misnomer. The Griswold family, headed by Chase, doesn't go anywhere. Neither does the film.

Metacritic review by Jay Carr
Jay Carr
Boston Globe
50

In this third outing for the Griswolds - following the dismal National Lampoon's European Vacation in 1985 - the satirical edge has given way to sentimentality and a whiff of smugness, while the black humor has degenerated into broad slapstick. It's a tribute to first-time director Jeremiah Chechik's fine sense of timing that the obvious physical gags still generate some substantial laughs, though they arrive almost in spite of Hughes' tired script. [1 Dec 1989, p.Friday A]

Metacritic review by Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
Chicago Tribune

Frequently Asked Questions

Is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) family-friendly?
The movie has been rated as PG-13, meaning that some material may be considered inappropriate for children under 13.
How long is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)?
The movie is 1hr 37min long.
What's National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) about?
As the holidays approach, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) wants to have a perfect family Christmas, so he pesters his wife, Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo), and children, as he tries to make sure everything is in line, including the tree and house decorations. However, things go awry quickly. His hick cousin, Eddie (Randy Quaid), and his family show up unplanned and start living in their camper on the Griswold property. Even worse, Clark's employers renege on the holiday bonus he needs.
Who's the cast of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)?
  • Chevy Chase as Clark Wilhelm Griswold, Jr.
  • Beverly D'Angelo as Ellen Griswold
  • Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie Johnson
  • Diane Ladd as Nora Griswold
  • John Randolph as Clark Wilhelm Griswold, Sr.
  • E.G. Marshall as Art Smith
  • Doris Roberts as Frances Smith
  • Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Margo Chester
  • Mae Questel as Aunt Bethany
  • William Hickey as Uncle Lewis
Who's the director behind National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)?
Jeremiah S. Chechik directed National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989).
Who produced National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)?
William S. Beasley, Mauri Syd Gayton and John Hughes produced National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989).