Discussing
Why Clark Griswold Couldn’t Save Christmas

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation reminds us that nostalgia can be a spiritual trap.

Beautiful piece, Amber. I feel like I'm always going back and forth on whether it's this movie or HOME ALONE that I find best captures the essence of the holiday spirit for me--by which, I mean the chaotic frenzy of commercialism masquerading as good cheer leading to disaster into which breaks the ineffable "something miraculous" that Christmas actually represents. Maybe it shouldn't be lost on us that this miracle also happened in an unkempt and likely noisy stable in a quaint provincial town crowded with family gathering from afar (and likely overstaying their welcome) during an especially commercial time in Roman life. There's something about the comedically spirited chaos of these movies that captures this backdrop of the nativity story without ever even setting out to do so, I think. Maybe that's why I find myself going back to them year after year.

Also: Angelo Badalamenti's "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reinder" cue with tuba and accordion as Eddie empties the "sh##er" into the sewer. That is the only moment every year when I am guaranteed to smile ear to ear.

I love this movie except for the language. I think there's a few gds. Maybe the f bomb now that I think about it. I'm surprised this movie was critiqued like this instead of its foul words. Christmas is about Jesus. I am a Christian. I also love the fun of the season. I can't watch the movie though knowing the words are in there. I don't think God would be pleased and thats my goal

Really good...