It’s a holiday tradition for my family to watch the film every Christmas season. This is one of those movies that you can watch over and over again a hundred times and it will still crack you up every single time!
The film revolves around the Griswold family, who have decided to have all their relatives over for the holidays. Naturally, hilarity ensues, as there is chaos lurking around every corner, from malfunctioning Christmas lights, to a senile old aunt, to trailer trash cousins!
The Griswold family at the dinner table.
The film is great because it makes a joke out of the holiday stresses we all experience. We all know what it’s like to not know what to buy our relatives for the holiday, for a meal to go horribly wrong, or to have an annoying neighbor who puts a buzz-kill on your holiday cheer!
My favorite scenes in the movie are the utterly absurd ones. An example is how the main character Clark’s long-awaited Christmas bonus turns out to be a month-long subscription to the Jelly of the Month club. His resulting reaction is pure Christmas comedy gold.
Clark learns about his “Christmas bonus”. Warning: contains adult language.
This movie turns traditional Christmas flicks on their ears, with a much more honest depiction of what Christmastime is like for the average American family. If you are looking for a relaxing, enjoyable, and gut-busting way to spend a cold December night snuggled under a blanket next to family or friends, this is the Christmas adventure for you!
Most of the sentimentality in this film is expressed through comedic moments. However, these comedic moments fit well within the overall goofy nature of the family that’s represented.
The Island of Misfit Toys.
The Griswolds are every bit the Christmas misfits that Rudolph and his friends are, making the families’ antics all the more endearing. I dare anyone to make it through this film without falling apart in hysterics at least once, particularly in scenes with the crude cousin Eddie and the senile Aunt Bethany.
Make sure to be on the lookout for a squirrel popping out of your screen towards the end of the film; even if Aunt Bethany doesn’t recognize it’s there, I’m sure you will!
The Griswold’s overly festive home.
Memorable Quote:
*Clark is guiding his aunt into his brightly decorated house.*
Bethany: Is your house on fire, Clark?
Clark: No, Aunt Bethany, it’s just Christmas lights.
Bethany: Don’t throw me down, Clark!
Clark: I’ll try not to, Aunt Bethany.
Bethany: Is this the airport, Clark?
Aunt Bethany
-Patrick Zwosta
