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    Home»Movies»Movies by Decade»Movies - 1980s
    Movies - 1980s Movies - N 2 Mins Read

    National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985)

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    Co-scripted by teen-pic maestro John Hughes (The Breakfast Club et al), this politically incorrect sequel to 1983’s National Lampoon’s Vacation from director Amy Heckerling (Fast Times At Ridgemont High) should be dismissed without hesitation.

    But there is something endearing about the Griswold family, and Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo’s infectious enthusiasm manages to sweep you along (as begrudgingly as kids Jason Lively and Dana Hill) on this cliché-ridden package tour – which the Griswolds win on an obnoxious TV quiz show called Pig In A Poke.

    As the Griswolds weave their way from London to Rome – destroying Stonehenge, whingeing, eating, and donning silly clothes – two minor subplots are inserted: the family’s unwitting involvement in a kidnapping, and their equally inadvertent appearance in a softcore porn film.

    europeanvacation5

    Every conceivable national stereotype is pressed into service, as polite British cyclists, rude French waiters, aggressive Germans in Lederhosen and Mafia hitmen are trotted out with soothing predictability.

    One of the funniest parts of the film has the Griswolds constantly – and literally – running into Eric Idle of Monty Python fame who retains his impeccable British manners no matter how horrendous the situation or how painful his injuries.

    Nothing could prepare you for the highlight, however, a whistle-stop tour of the Louvre to legendary Belgian pop star Plastic Bertrand‘s seminal song Ça Plâne pour Moi.

    Frank Zappa‘s daughter Moon Unit pops in briefly as Rusty’s girlfriend.

    Clark W Griswold
    Chevy Chase
    Ellen Griswold
    Beverly D’Angelo
    Audrey Griswold
    Dana Hill
    Rusty Griswold
    Jason Lively
    Quiz host
    John Astin
    Thief
    Victor Lanoux
    Bike rider
    Eric Idle
    Hotel manager
    Mel Smith
    Man in bathroom
    Robbie Coltrane
    Lady in bed
    Maureen Lipman
    Mr Froeger
    Paul Bartel
    Mrs Froeger
    Cynthia Szigeti
    The Froegers’ son
    Malcolm Danare
    The Froegers’ daughter
    Kevi Kendall
    Game show hostesses
    Sheila Kennedy
    Trisha Long
    Jack
    William Zabka
    London stewardess
    Wendy Goldman
    Court announcer
    Angus MacKay
    Princess Di
    Julie Wooldridge
    Prince Charles
    Peter Hugo
    Queen Elizabeth
    Jeannette Charles
    Rusty’s California Girl
    Moon Unit Zappa

    Director
    Amy Heckerling

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