Movie Review: National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985)

I know, I know–it’s a movie full of stereotypes that relies on dumb slapstick humor…but there’s some truth in stereotypes and it makes me laugh. (We highlighted it in our list of Ten Funny Travel Books and Ten Funny Travel Movies, too.)

European Vacation is the second movie in the National Lampoon’s Vacation series with all star Chevy Chase as the clumsy but lovable Clark Griswold and Beverly D’Angelo as his patient wife, Ellen. Their two children, Audrey and Rusty (this time played by Dana Hill and Jason Lively–the actors portraying the children are not consistent through the series), are along as well.

The movie starts with the family on a game show where they (somewhat accidentally) win a trip to Europe that will take them to England, Germany, France, and Italy. As you probably expected, Clark is a little over-the-top in his excitement for the trip, Ellen is also looking forward to it, but in a more normal way, and the kids, as typical teenagers, are reluctant, but eventually come around (especially when it comes to shopping for Italian fashion, eating French pastries, and making out with German beer maids).

There’s a loose plot that includes stolen traveler’s checks and Ellen being kidnapped, but you don’t really watch movies like this for their plot. You watch it for the (yes, childish) humor. You’re not going to learn anything or come away with any life lessons, but you will be entertained…and sometimes that’s all I want when I watch a movie.