CHRISTMAS Day is now but a memory, however that is no reason why the holiday themed cinema can’t continue.

Presents opened days prior are likely scattered all over the floor of the kids’ rooms.

The guests have said their goodbyes until next year, and the evening sun begins to dip.

The time has finally come to watch Christmas Vacation (1989, Dir. Jeremiah S. Chechik).

Really, what other film could fill this spot on the Christmas calendar?

After days surrounded by people, having endless conversations about life, the universe and everything, everybody is exhausted and just not capable of facing any real drama.

It is the time for a light-hearted comedy, and there is no contender to the title of ‘Best Christmas Comedy’ than the National Lampoon’s yuletide offering, which sees the legendary Chevy Chase reprise his role as patriarch Clark Griswold alongside Beverly D’Angelo as his devoted wife Ellen, future star of The Big Bang Theory Johnny Galecki as younger son Russell, and Juliette Lewis turning in a pitch-perfect performance as teenage daughter Audrey.

Christmas Vacation centres on the Griswold family and their preparations for the holidays.

Clark is determined to recreate for his family the “perfect Christmas” he enjoyed when he was a child.

Predictably every single one of his efforts is turned on its head by a series of increasingly outrageous mishaps.

He must deal with surly in-laws, uninvited cousins, confusing electrical equipment and a hyper-aggressive squirrel before settling down for the family Christmas dinner.

Essentially a human Looney Tunes character, Griswolds antics evoke a lot of the same reaction as young Kevin from Home Alone, and the two films have a great deal in common.

This is not surprising, since the same legendary producer – John Hughes – was the mastermind behind both films.

One of the things that makes Christmas Vacation such a perfect post-Christmas viewing is the catharsis of laughing at the disaster-in-the-making that is the Griswold family gathering.

It is only after reaching the other side of our own stress-inducing annual traditions that we rediscover our own sense of humour. More than laughing at ourselves, the film is somewhat inspiring in the way it presents family and a generally positive outlook on life.

Things may keep going wrong for Clark, his family has financial concerns, he doesn’t have a good relationship with his neighbours…but when the moment of truth comes the family display support, love and grace in spite of their difficult circumstances.

It’s a good reminder to us all as we step from Christmas to the New Year and beyond: there is plenty that is out of our control in this life, but we can all choose to bear one another’s burdens, and that makes all the difference.

By Lindsay HALL