National Lampoon’s Vacation Is One Of The Greatest Comedy Classics Of The Eighties. Chevy Chase Leads A Hilarious Road Trip That Remains Just As Entertaining Today As It Was When It First Hit Theaters.
Before getting into it, the legendary actor Anthony Michael Hall who played the first son in the series has been doing podcast rounds this month. This episode’s definitely worth a listen.
Ok back to regular scheduled movie talk.
Released in 1983, National Lampoon’s Vacation is one of those movies that helped define comedy during the eighties. It has a simple story, a terrific cast, and plenty of ridiculous situations that make it a movie I can watch over and over again.
The film was directed by Harold Ramis, who also directed comedy classics like Caddyshack and Groundhog Day. The screenplay was written by John Hughes, based on his short story Vacation ’58. That combination of talent helped create something special.
Chevy Chase stars as Clark Griswold, a family man who decides to take his wife and children on a cross-country road trip to the fictional Walley World amusement park in California. Clark wants everything to go perfectly, but anyone familiar with the Griswolds knows that is never going to happen.
Beverly D’Angelo plays Ellen Griswold, Clark’s patient and supportive wife. Anthony Michael Hall plays their son Rusty, while Dana Barron plays their daughter Audrey. Together, they make up a family that is trying to enjoy a vacation that seems determined to fall apart at every turn.
The journey begins with Clark’s excitement about the trip and his belief that he has planned everything perfectly. Unfortunately, the family quickly runs into problems, from a questionable new car to bad directions, strange roadside attractions, and some very unfortunate encounters along the way.
One of the funniest things about this movie is Clark’s determination to keep the vacation going no matter how bad things get. He refuses to admit defeat, even when the situation is clearly out of control. Chevy Chase is absolutely perfect in this role, bringing his familiar physical comedy and frustrated expressions to every disaster.
The supporting cast is another big reason the movie works so well. Imogene Coca plays Aunt Edna, whose presence on the trip creates plenty of additional headaches. Randy Quaid appears as Cousin Eddie, a character who became so popular that he eventually returned in later Vacation movies.
Christie Brinkley also makes a memorable appearance as the mysterious woman in the red Ferrari. Her interactions with Clark provide some of the movie’s funniest moments, especially as he struggles to keep his attention on the family vacation.
There are so many memorable scenes throughout the film that it is difficult to pick just a few favorites. Whether it is Clark getting lost in the desert, the family’s disastrous stop at the Grand Canyon, or the various problems they encounter along the highway, the laughs keep coming.
I also enjoy how the movie pokes fun at the idea of the perfect American family vacation. Clark has this picture in his mind of everyone having a wonderful time, but real life keeps getting in the way. The more he tries to control everything, the worse things seem to become.
The comedy is a little outrageous at times, but that is part of its charm. It never takes itself seriously, and the characters are entertaining enough to make even the most ridiculous situations work. The writing is sharp, and the performances give the movie plenty of personality.
Another thing that makes Vacation such a classic is how relatable the basic idea remains. Anyone who has taken a long family road trip can probably understand the frustrations of traveling, dealing with unexpected problems, and trying to keep everyone happy along the way.
The movie was successful enough to launch a franchise that included European Vacation, Christmas Vacation, and several other entries. While there are some entertaining sequels, the original remains my favorite and the one that started it all.
Overall, National Lampoon’s Vacation is a fantastic comedy with a great cast, excellent writing, and a story that never gets old. Chevy Chase delivers one of his most recognizable performances, and Harold Ramis keeps the whole adventure moving at a great pace.
If you enjoy classic eighties comedies, this one is essential viewing. The Griswolds may have had the worst vacation imaginable, but they gave us one of the funniest movies of the decade.
