GUEST EDITORIAL: Why "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" is a Sentimental Favorite
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Why National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a Sentimental Favorite
When you ask people what Christmas movie is their favorite, the answers are usually split into two categories. There is the group that gushes about the classic films that focus on Christmas spirit and family values and the group that raves about edgier, irreverent movies that often embrace a darker vibe. There's not a lot of crossover between these two groups and each one often adopts a bit of a judgmental attitude towards the choices of the others' Christmas fare.
The truth is, what both groups of Christmas movie fans are pursuing in their viewing choices isn't really that different. Both groups are scratching the same itch, they're just reaching it differently. Perhaps the best alternative Christmas movie to illustrate this is a film that has become a classic in its own right, "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation".
The Hero vs The Bumbler
The lead character in old-fashioned Christmas movies tends to be a classic hero. He or she may make poor choices but at heart, these characters are selfless and essentially good. Audiences cheer for this long-suffering hero because he or she deserves to have a good life. These types of lead characters make viewers aspire to be like them; to be as strong as they are, as kind as they are and as hopeful as they are. They make people wish they were better human beings.
In contrast, nontraditional Christmas movies like "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" embrace a less-than-perfect main character like Clark Griswold. Clark isn't the smartest guy in any room, in fact, he's a bit of a buffoon, but that's why fans of the movie love him. He's always trying his best even though he often fails. The scene in which Clark tries to decorate his house with Christmas lights is both hilarious and heartbreaking. As he struggles with a faulty extension ladder, an uncooperative electrical grid and his lack of handyman skills, viewers never stop cheering for him. He's just trying so darn hard. He just needs to catch a break. Fans feel like Clark could be their neighbor or their uncle. Clark could even be them.
Drama vs Comedy
Traditional Christmas classics tend to be dramas. There might be a couple of comic scenes or a couple of lovably goofy side characters, but at their core, these movies are dramas, and often tear-jerkers to boot. If you can get through the "Juju's petals" scene in "It's a Wonderful Life" without going through a couple of tissues, you're doing better than most.
Most of the darker Christmas films are flat-out comedies and "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" is no exception. This isn't an intellectual comedy or in any way a subtle comedy. The movie is filled with humor that is physical, broad, in your face and sometimes a bit crude. This is the kind of comedy that makes you laugh out loud. You get outrageous scenes like Clark flying down a hill on a sled greased with kitchen lubricant, Christmas trees going up in flames and aggressive squirrels. But fans will tell you that all that obvious humor makes the heartfelt moments in the film all the more impactful. When you see Clark weeping while watching old Christmas home movies or reading Christmas stories to his family or offering to buy gifts for his homeless brother's kids, you wouldn't be blamed for shedding a tear or two.
Christmas movies, both traditional and not-so-traditional, have a lot of joy to offer during the holiday season. If you're a traditionalist whose holiday wouldn't be complete without another viewing of "It's a Wonderful Life", watch it again by all means. But make a little room in your viewing schedule for "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" too. You might be surprised to find that along with the pratfalls and cynicism, this movie has a lot to say about family, love and the Christmas spirit. And you'll get in a lot of belly laughs too.
