National Lampoon's Vacation - R
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this film's humor relies mostly on innuendo. While drug use and sex are never seen, they are very frequently implied and are generally the butt of jokes. The father of this family comes close to cheating on his wife, but does not succeed and realizes that he loves his wife. Like every other social taboo this film encounters, the father's almost cheating is treated as a joke as he is rather inept at it.
Families who watch this movie could talk about comedies. How can a dead dog -- or a dead old lady -- be funny? Can you think of other popular movies that turn disgusting and depraved situations into laughs -- or at least try to? How far can filmmakers push it before they've crossed the line into true tasteless territory? Who do you think most of these movies are targeted to? How do you know?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Afsheen Nomai
Poor Clark Griswald (Chevy Chase), nothing seems to go right for him and his dream vacation, a road trip from Chicago to California's Walley World amusement park. Things go wrong from the start when a slick car salesman played by Eugene Levy, convinces Clark to settle for a wood paneled puke green station wagon dubbed, "The Family Truckster" ("You think you hate it now, but just wait until you drive it").
On the road, anything that can go wrong does go wrong. Grandma dies in the car, the dog pees on the picnic basket, and the credit cards get cancelled. Meanwhile a hot blonde in a red hot Ferrari (Christy Brinkley) flirts with Clark leading almost to the demise of his marriage. With the family's bond barely intact, they arrive at their final destination only to find Marty Moose closed for repairs.
This is a classic, and though this is R rated, it comes off tame by today's standards. Even kids who didn't grow up with Chevy Chase will enjoy watching him plays his usual deadpan character. Families who like this film may enjoy more Griswald madness in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, or want to check out Caddyshack.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentFlirting, frequently suggested and implied sex, brief nudity, implied masturbation. |
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ViolenceSome threat of violence. Most violence is cartoonish (a dog is dragged to death by accident). |
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LanguageAll major curse words used, somewhat frequently, until end of film when language gets courser. |
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Social BehaviorTraditional family, with loving but slow-witted father who always tries to do good for his family. He does, however, brandish a gun at the end. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoImplied marijuana use by kids, young boy chugs a beer his father gives him, otherwise very little drinking and smoking. |
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