VEGAS VACATION (1997) ** Some families are so fascinating that you want to know every little thing about their vacation. Unfortunately, the Griswalds aren't such a group. Chevy Chase and crew hit the Vegas strip, have "be alone day," and desperately compete to see who can be the biggest loser. As the favorite, Chevy sets a torrid pace by, despite being married to Beverly D'Angelo, making very stupid faces at Christine Brinkley. What a loser! How can anyone even think of cheating on a woman like Beverly D'Angelo? But wait! Bev makes him look almost smart, or at least vindicates his lack of enthusiasm, by informing cousin Randy Quaid of their whereabouts and letting Wayne Newton sensuously put pasta on her shoulder. The daughter dances in a cage, the son hangs out with those old grey-haired, gold chain-chested guys. Quaid is such a good actor that he makes standing around with a beer in your hand all the time seem like a bad thing. Of course he expertly selects Busch as his beer of choice in enhancing the illusion. The best part is probably the alternative casino, though Chevy's aerial assault on the Hoover Dam stands out as well. Bev becomes an icon to the Newtonerati, the kid wears a yellow jacket over a red shirt, the girl does her hair, Chevy operates the ATM to the amplification of Hendrix doing "All Along the Watchtower," you get the idea. Where's Sid Caesar? He'd know what to do in Vegas.
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