Christmas Vacation

Released in theaters on December 1, 1989

Stream on HBO Max

Runtime: 1 Hour 37 Minutes

Rated PG-13

“I don't know what to say, but it's Christmas and we're all in misery.”

This pretty much sums of Clark Griswold’s December as he tries to make Christmas memorable for his family. However, arguing in-laws, uninvited cousins showing up, electrocuted cats, wild squirrels in the house, Christmas lights that don’t work, and not receiving his Christmas bonus make for a terrible, yet hilarious holiday experience.

Themes:

   Family, memories, perfectionism , things not going as planned, jerks, RVs, fun old fashioned family Christmas, standards, Christmas lights, anger, seasonal bonuses, hard work, parenting, inlaws, grumbling, complaining, lip funguses, horrible bosses, traditions, let downs, cousins, love, messing up, losing your temper, and a one year subscription to the jelly of the month club.

Language:

   Eleven religious exclamations, piss twice, seven hells, sh-t eight times, a-s eight times, b-tch once, d-ck once, and damn nine times. The F-word is said once. Heck and sucks is also used.

Stuff to be aware of:

There is drinking multiple times in this holiday flick. Clark flips another person off. A cat gets electrocuted. All that can be seen is a black spot and white fur. A man get kidnapped and kicked by another person.

   Sexual references - when referring to where to put a tree Clark says, “bend over and I’ll show you.” One character says, “I want to take off these clothes and kiss every inch of your body.” There is an extended scene between Clark and a lingerie sales woman with a low cut top in which several sexual puns are made. For example, “Not that I have a yule log" and “it’s a bit nipply outside,” are both phrases used. This scene lasts a few minutes and includes the sales woman raising her skirt and showing the side of her thigh to prove you can’t see her panty line. One man mentions he and his wife need some “alone time.” There is talk of a dog humping a person’s leg and how you need to let him finish. Clark imagines a woman at a pool taking her bathing suit off. The side of her breast and shoulder are seen, but no nipples or butt is visibly seen. A news commentator mentions that he can’t see the “nuts” on a nutcracker float/balloon. Cousin Eddie mentions a preacher screwing a hockey player.

Overall:

"Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?"

   This is one of the most quotable movies of all times and a personal favorite for my side of the family. When I was young we always watched it on cable where much of the cursing and innuendo was edited out. If this film cut the curse words and sexual themes it would still be a GREAT Christmas movie. Once again Hollywood feels like everything needs to be more “adult.”

Clark’s experiences are relatable and more than likely you will find one, if not many, reasons you can relate to Clark Griswold’s holiday experience. The humor and the quips are timeless and make for a memorable experience that many come back to December after December.