The iconic scene in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation featuring the People magazine cover is a comedic highlight. However, there's no actual person depicted on the cover—it's a fictionalized magazine cover created specifically for the film. The cover features a heavily photoshopped image of a smiling, seemingly idyllic family, embodying the kind of perfect Christmas the Griswolds are desperately (and hilariously) trying to achieve.
The point of the joke is the stark contrast between the glossy, unrealistic portrayal of Christmas perfection on the magazine cover and the chaotic, utterly dysfunctional reality of the Griswold family's Christmas. This comedic juxtaposition is a key element of the film's humor.
What Makes the People Magazine Cover Funny?
The humor comes from several factors:
- The contrast between fantasy and reality: The idealized family on the cover is a complete opposite of the Griswold's reality, highlighting their struggles and mishaps.
- The irony: The audience is aware of the chaos unfolding within the Griswold household, making the seemingly perfect family on the cover even funnier.
- Satirical commentary on holiday expectations: The scene subtly satirizes the societal pressure to create a perfect, picture-postcard Christmas.
Why There's No Real Person on the Cover
Creating a fictional People magazine cover allowed the filmmakers complete creative control. They could design an image that perfectly encapsulated the film's comedic premise without needing to secure permissions or rights for using a real person's likeness. The lack of a real person also contributes to the humorous absurdity of the scene.
What Other People Wonder About the Christmas Vacation People Magazine Cover
Here are some other frequently asked questions about this scene:
Is the People magazine cover a real issue?
No, the cover is entirely fictional and was created specifically for the movie. There's no corresponding real-life People magazine cover.
What is the family on the cover doing?
The image depicts a smiling family engaged in typical holiday activities, such as decorating a Christmas tree or enjoying a festive meal. The specific details are not clearly visible, adding to the comedic ambiguity. The point isn't what they are doing, but how perfectly happy they appear.
What's the significance of the People Magazine cover in the scene?
The cover serves as a visual punchline, highlighting the disparity between the Griswold family's aspirational Christmas and their actual experience. It's a pivotal moment in the comedic narrative.
In conclusion, while there's no real person on the cover of the People magazine in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, the fictional cover is arguably one of the most memorable and effective comedic elements of the film. Its effectiveness lies in its simple yet potent representation of societal expectations surrounding Christmas and the hilarious contrast with the Griswold family's chaotic reality.
