Instead of some exotic getaway or cross country trip, the film focuses on the Griswold's home life during the Christmas break, where all kinds of uproarious hell is just waiting to be unleashed by the family's expected guests.
Whether he's trying to cut down a tree, install lights on the exterior of the house or simply browse the woman's department in a shopping mall, Chevy Chase shines as patriarch Clark W. Griswold, an everyman who just wants to get through the holidays and use his Christmas bonus to install a pool in the yard.
What makes this film a Christmas classic, is that every scene is so easily remembered. Whether it's a touching moment (Clark stuck in the attic, watching old xmas films of himself as a kid) a ridiculous moment (Clark zooming downhill on a souped up sled) or a fantasy moment (Clark looking out his window and dreaming of the pool...and Mary!), the movie never gets bogged down by useless filler. Not to mention it has Chevy Chase delivering one of the best rants in film history.
So sit back, grab some hot cocoa, stuff your face with cookies and enjoy the hap-hap happiest holiday film since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye!
No comments:
Post a Comment