Few comedy sequels manage to capture the charm of their predecessors, but National Lampoon's European Vacation, released on July 26, 1985, made an admirable attempt. As the second instalment in the Vacation series, it expanded the misadventures of the Griswold family, this time taking them across the Atlantic for a chaotic and uproarious tour of Europe. Revisiting the film four decades later, it’s fascinating to see how its humour and cultural commentary hold up—and how it reflects the comedic sensibilities of its time.
Directed by Amy Heckerling, fresh off her success with Fast Times at Ridgemont High, the film picks up with the Griswolds winning a European holiday on a game show. True to form, Clark Griswold, played with unrelenting enthusiasm by Chevy Chase, is determined to make the trip an unforgettable bonding experience for his family. Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo), Rusty (Jason Lively), and Audrey (Dana Hill) are less enthusiastic, but their collective misadventures provide the backbone of the story.
From the moment they arrive in London, chaos ensues. Clark’s bumbling attempts to drive on the left side of the road, miscommunications with locals, and a series of cultural faux pas set the tone for a journey filled with escalating hilarity. As the Griswolds move through France, Germany, and Italy, the film mines its humour from the clash between American naivety and European stereotypes. It’s broad comedy, to be sure, but there’s an undeniable charm in the way it leans into the absurdity of cultural misunderstandings.
The production of European Vacation was an international endeavour, with location shoots across Europe giving the film an authentic, if somewhat caricatured, backdrop. The picturesque settings—from the Eiffel Tower to the canals of Venice—serve as a vivid contrast to the Griswolds’ chaotic antics. While the script, penned by John Hughes and Robert Klane, doesn’t quite match the sharpness of the original Vacation, it delivers plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
Chevy Chase’s performance as Clark Griswold is, as always, the highlight of the film. His ability to embody the well-meaning yet hopelessly inept patriarch provides a steady stream of comedic gold. Beverly D’Angelo’s Ellen is the perfect counterbalance, grounding the chaos with her exasperated but loving presence. Jason Lively and Dana Hill bring fresh energy to the roles of Rusty and Audrey, making the Griswold kids’ sibling squabbles and teenage woes feel relatable even amidst the absurdity.
When the film was released, it received a mixed critical reception. Some praised its lighthearted escapism and Chase’s comedic timing, while others criticised its reliance on clichés and uneven pacing. Nevertheless, it performed well at the box office, buoyed by the popularity of the first film and the appeal of the Griswold family’s antics.
From today’s perspective, European Vacation is both a time capsule and a reminder of how comedy has evolved. Watching it now, you might find its humour occasionally dated, particularly in its reliance on broad stereotypes. Yet there’s a warmth to the film that transcends its shortcomings. The Griswolds’ enduring relatability—their dysfunction, their resilience, and their genuine love for one another—remains the heart of the series.
One of the most striking aspects of revisiting the film is how it captures a particular vision of 1980s American optimism. Clark Griswold’s boundless enthusiasm, even in the face of repeated failure, feels emblematic of an era when the American Dream was often framed in terms of exploration and adventure. The film’s willingness to poke fun at both American and European stereotypes adds an extra layer of charm, even if some jokes land better than others.
The slapstick humour and exaggerated scenarios might feel quaint compared to today’s comedic sensibilities, but that’s part of what makes European Vacation enduring. It’s unpretentious, unabashedly silly, and unapologetically fun. For fans of the series, it’s a nostalgic reminder of a time when comedies didn’t take themselves too seriously.
Ultimately, National Lampoon's European Vacation endures because it stays true to the spirit of the Griswolds. It’s a film about family, about the chaos of travel, and about finding humour in even the most frustrating situations. Looking back at it now, you might appreciate its imperfections as much as its moments of brilliance. After all, that’s what makes the Griswolds so relatable: they’re far from perfect, but they always manage to find their way through the madness together.
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