This is a movie that has been long revered by many as their favorite Christmas movie,. Some of my closest friends fit that grouping. It's a movie that people connect with because of the dysfunctional family dynamics, the chaos and stress of the season and a family trying to hold together the fragile pieces of their connection with each other, while simultaneously wanting to strangle them into oblivion. Although this film is beloved by many, there is one reason and one reason only that I've never seen it. I am not a fan of Chevy Chase's brand of comedy. I generally don't find him funny. It's not something that I've been able to get past when it comes to most of his movies. I've seen a few bits of this movie, but just couldn't bring myself to really sit through it. But, in the spirit of this blog, I'm going to finally watch it all the way through, from start to finish and let you know if this is one of the times that I could actually enjoy a Chevy Chase movie, or if I was more stone faced than most when watching this movie. Maybe now that I'm an adult I can enjoy more of the humor, but we'll see. I guess it's time to start the movie and find out what I think of it.
This film is about what I expected it to be. There are funny moments and moments where I couldn't even be amused by the things that were too serious in reality to even find funny in fiction. The story itself is a good one, of a father who just wants to share his Christmas traditions with his family and wanting the best for them in the season that is supposed to be filled with joy and wonder. He's plagued by the standard issues of a family he wants to enjoy the season with, but more stress added on at one time than a normal holiday season would bring. Uncaring bosses, overbearing relatives, mishaps with decorations and issues with money. Having one or two of those things at once is difficult enough, but having all at once isn't a situation anyone wants to deal with.
I like that the Griswold's feel like every average American family and that they actually find ways to connect with one another. Far too easily families become disconnected, especially as providers get more entrenched in their work and kids grow into teens who want nothing to do with their family. In those times, it's our traditions that bring us back together and the Griswold family is no different. I find it odd that Clark is relying on this bonus check to make it through his Christmas gifting when the only time I've ever been given a Christmas bonus by my employer was this past year. It's not something that I've ever had the privilege of and I forget that for some industries it's common place and would be what people use to stay out of debt during that season. Blows my mind a bit.
I can't say I enjoyed all of the humor in this movie. I wasn't a fan of his interaction with the saleswoman in the department store. It was a bit cringe inducing for me. I just didn't find it funny considering that is something that women deal with all the time in reality and can't seem to get away from it. What made it even worse was his story that he was divorced from his wife, whom he seems to be happily married to, just to get some attention from a complete stranger. It just irked my nerves that he would be so casual in portraying his divorce status when he seems to be all about his wife and family. There is also no way that any woman is going to show a stranger the fact that her underwear is high cut on her hip and that there's no panty line. Also, when the cousin (perfectly portrayed by Randy Quaid, might I add) starts pumping sewage into the sewer line, I would have been the person pitching a fit over it no matter whose relative that was. That triggered me so bad and it wasn't even in real life or even in this decade. But that was the exact kind of mentality that put us in the situation we're currently in when it comes to our environment, so it's a touchy subject for me. Can't help it. I've been this way since I was a kid doing projects for Earth Day and watching Captain Planet. There aren't many things that spark that kind of reaction from me, but destroying our environment with carelessness and apathy are high on that list. But, I digress.
I was able to get past the fact that it was Chevy Chase for the most part even though there were a few things that others would think were funny that I couldn't even crack a smile at. But I loved the character's sentimentality for the past, his childhood and wanting to spread that into the next generation. I could relate to that since I'm a sentimental person myself. I've been getting more nostalgic lately for my childhood with my family and my teenage years with the music and experiences of the decade. There's something special in those memories and it was a great way to show that Clark Griswold was truly a family man, even in the ridiculous attire he used to stay warm in that attic. I had honestly thought that they were going to have him try to get down through the tiny window in the attic in that scene, so it felt like a nice change of pace to have him reminisce about the past amongst the long forgotten things instead. Despite all the chaos that happens, he tries to stay in the Christmas spirit. To have so many things go wrong in one week, though, would break anybody and Clark's meltdown is epic. He was really digging deep for all of the madness that came out of his mouth, but to only say three actual swear words was impressive. It was creative and colorful, but pretty safe for kids' ears.
As for the kidnapping of the boss, I have to say that I saw what Eddie was really trying to do. He couldn't buy presents for Clark, and Clark made a very loud announcement about what he would like for Christmas, all wrapped up in a bow. Eddie was a bit misguided in this idea, but he really had Clark's interests at heart. It was a ridiculous, but sweet gesture that wouldn't pan out as well in reality. It embodied the heartfelt nature of Christmas films by making the boss have a change of heart and for him to give everyone their bonuses in the end.
I can't say that this film is going to make the regular rotation of Christmas movies I watch every year, but it isn't one I would bypass every time I saw it, either. It was a well done movie, despite the few bits that I really couldn't even crack a smile at. I can understand why so many people have this movie on their top Christmas movie lists. If you haven't seen it yet, then it's definitely worth at least one watch. If you're an adamant Chevy Chase hater, you may not be able to make it through the film. But if you are just not a fan, you'll find enjoyment in other ways with this film, like I did.
For my next Christmas film, I will be watching Bad Santa. Another film I never really wanted to watch, but I'll do it for the sake of this blog. Go enjoy a Christmas movie you've never seen before!
For more movie love, check out my other blog, "You're Watching That Again?!"
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