One of my all time favorite films has always been National Lampoon's Vacation. I've always joked my Dad was Clark Griswold (memorably played by Chevy Chase) and on his better days he really was. So naturally, I could always relate to these films and the son, Rusty (played here by Anthony Michael Hall).
For those who, after 31 years, still haven't seen this movie, the film tells the story of a wild road trip taken by all American family the Griswolds. In addition to father Clark and son Rusty, there is the mother, Ellen (played by Beverly D'Angelo) and daughter Audrey (played by Dana Barron). They travel from Illinois to Los Angeles to visit the amusement park Walley World (basically Disney World). What they encounter is one disaster after another, including having an obnoxious Aunt Edna (played by Imogene Coca) hoisted on them along with her hostile dog, Dinky, losing their money and accidently launching the car rather spectacularly off the road.
Of course, the family continues to press on despite each road block, determined to reach the finish line in their quest for fun, even if poor, hapless Clark loses his mind in the process. The thing is, so much of this film is just an exaggerated version of what real road trips can be like, just turned up to eleven. There wasn't a single moment in this film I couldn't relate to except maybe Christie Brinkley showing up in a red Ferrari, as she does several times in the film, driving alongside the Griswolds and flirting with Clark (the rest of the family is always asleep or otherwise distracted). Anyway, I have yet to have something like that happen to me, but that's ok.
It really is Chevy Chase that owns this film, never afraid to play what a total doofus Clark Griswold can be, but at the same time make him completely lovable. Chase has always been charming and witty in film roles and a bit of a smooth operator. Clark is the complete opposite of everything he had played in films up to this point. Clark so desperately wants to be Father of the year, but his efforts bring nothing but disaster and it's hysterical. Then, towards the end he reaches the end of his rope and gives what would become a series staple: a profane rallying cry, in this case telling his family they're not giving up and no matter what they will make it to the amusement park and they will have fun.
It's also amazing how edgy this film is, even today 30 years later. From scenes of the kids learning about porn, masturbation and pot from their cousins to the scene where the family gets lost in a bad neighborhood in St. Louis that skirts some questionable racial stereotypes, among others that I don't want to ruin for people who haven't seen the film yet. It definitely still deserves it's R rating.
Nonetheless, National Lampoon's Vacation remains one of my favorite comedies and is no doubt one for many others. The film spawned three sequels, National Lampoon's European Vacation, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and Vegas Vacation. There's also set to be a fifth film, focusing on an adult Rusty taking his family on their own road trip. I'll admit it, I'm looking forward to it.
Of course, the family continues to press on despite each road block, determined to reach the finish line in their quest for fun, even if poor, hapless Clark loses his mind in the process. The thing is, so much of this film is just an exaggerated version of what real road trips can be like, just turned up to eleven. There wasn't a single moment in this film I couldn't relate to except maybe Christie Brinkley showing up in a red Ferrari, as she does several times in the film, driving alongside the Griswolds and flirting with Clark (the rest of the family is always asleep or otherwise distracted). Anyway, I have yet to have something like that happen to me, but that's ok.
It really is Chevy Chase that owns this film, never afraid to play what a total doofus Clark Griswold can be, but at the same time make him completely lovable. Chase has always been charming and witty in film roles and a bit of a smooth operator. Clark is the complete opposite of everything he had played in films up to this point. Clark so desperately wants to be Father of the year, but his efforts bring nothing but disaster and it's hysterical. Then, towards the end he reaches the end of his rope and gives what would become a series staple: a profane rallying cry, in this case telling his family they're not giving up and no matter what they will make it to the amusement park and they will have fun.
It's also amazing how edgy this film is, even today 30 years later. From scenes of the kids learning about porn, masturbation and pot from their cousins to the scene where the family gets lost in a bad neighborhood in St. Louis that skirts some questionable racial stereotypes, among others that I don't want to ruin for people who haven't seen the film yet. It definitely still deserves it's R rating.
Nonetheless, National Lampoon's Vacation remains one of my favorite comedies and is no doubt one for many others. The film spawned three sequels, National Lampoon's European Vacation, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and Vegas Vacation. There's also set to be a fifth film, focusing on an adult Rusty taking his family on their own road trip. I'll admit it, I'm looking forward to it.
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