Christmas Vacation

Christmas Vacation

1989

Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik

Writer: John Hughes

97 Minutes

Clark W. Griswold is the ultimate father trying to give his family the best experiences. And he fails perfectly.

The National Lampoon Vacation movies are about Clark’s adventures with his family – whether it be road trips, Christmas, Europe, or Las Vegas – and all the mischief and mayhem they get into.

See, Clark believes in the American Dream. He is trying to give his family what he never had: a better life for their children. That’s what all father’s want. And that’s what Clark wants.

“We're kicking off our fun old fashion family Christmas by heading out into the country in the old front-wheel drive sleigh to embrace the frosty majesty of the winter landscape and select that most important of Christmas symbols.” – Clark Griswold on cutting down a tree in Christmas Vacation

In the scene above, Clark has been locked in the attic after hiding presents and finds old home movies of his childhood. Though nostalgic, they aren’t very colorful. They are almost depressing. Yet, Clark cries. He realizes it’s his responsibility to bring the Christmas spirit to his family. And he will do what it takes.

The rest of the movie is filled with squirrels running around the house, trees burning in the livingroom, cats dying, and an entire swat team bringing into the Griswold household.

But this scene, beautiful soundtrack’d with Ray Charles, “Spirit of Christmas,” screams Clark wanting this to be an old-fashion family Christmas, regardless if he’s wearing pink gloves.

He’s a good father and that’s why we like him.