National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation follows Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) as he attempts to overcome a series of minor disasters in the buildup to a busy holiday season. Filmmaker Chechik, armed with John Hughes’ screenplay, delivers an affable yet thoroughly erratic comedy that fares best in its appealing opening stretch, as the movie’s initial focus on the various annoyances faced by Chase’s perpetually optimistic character, including an attempt at cutting down a Christmas tree without a saw and his ongoing exploits at the office, perpetuate the agreeable, entertaining atmosphere – with the watchable vibe undoubtedly heightened by Chase’s first-class (and irresistibly upbeat) turn as the sympathetic protagonist. It’s clear, then, that National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation‘s momentum takes a palpable hit as it progresses into its distressingly erratic midsection, and there’s little doubt, certainly, that the uneven vibe is exacerbated by the arrival of Randy Quaid’s one-note and rather grating Cousin Eddie – with the progressively underwhelming atmosphere perpetuated by a growing emphasis on jokes and gags of a decidedly tired (and hopelessly unfunny) nature (eg the electrocution of a cat, etc). By the time the feel-good finale rolls around, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation has cemented its place as a hit-and-miss endeavor that’s perhaps not quite the holiday classic one might’ve anticipated.

**1/2 out of ****