I’ve always been a fan of “A Christmas Story.” It’s one of those films that you simply can’t avoid, no matter how hard you try. In many ways, I suspect that’s part of the reason why the fan-base finds it so endearing, and memorable. It will forever be inextricably linked to the Christmas holiday, whether we like it or not.
Fortunately, I find the movie to be entertaining, but I am aware that there is an equally powerful group of dissenters who despise the movie. While I can’t say I agree with them, I partially understand where they are coming from. Clark’s film isn’t your typical “feel good” Christmas flick. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that it’s not really a “feel good” film at all. Much of this can be attributed to the satirical and downbeat source material, and through the adaptation of the memoirs of Jean Shepherd — In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash — much of the biting sarcasm, and unpleasantness of the holidays is ever-present in the film. As you might expect, this inevitably turns away much of the “happy-go-lucky” crowd that simply wants to snuggle up by the fire, and sip their non-alcoholic eggnog. No, this movie appeals to the dysfunction in all of us, and for this reason it shatters everyone’s expectations for a cuddly family Christmas flick.
Come to think of it, I recall thinking the movie wasn’t quite what I had expected when my Grandmother sat down to watch the film with me for the first time. I vividly remember a number of scenes that disturbed me. The foremost was the “frozen flagpole” scene, which genuinely freaked me out, as well as my younger brother. Also, the film was morally ambiguous in a lot of ways — not that I understood what that meant back then, but I certainly felt it. I was confused by a number of things, but to this day, the main thing that still eludes me is Ralphie’s borderline-unhealthy-obsession with acquiring a gun. Real or fake, the quest for a gun strikes me as slightly suspect, especially when there is no purpose or need for having it, outside of hunting — and obviously he wasn’t planning on hunting anything with a BB gun. I know, I know, it’s the very crux of the film — childhood obsession — but perhaps that’s one of the reasons why so many families opt out of the annual “Christmas Story” viewing whenever it hits the airwaves, or is viewed on your home video format of choice — hopefully by reading this review, yours is Blu-ray. 
Despite my reservations about certain aspects of the film, and regardless of how you may or may not feel about the film, I believe everyone should be willing to agree that it is unique. It’s ability to separate itself from the typical fun-filled, sugarcoated sap-fests has given it unsurpassed longevity in the home video market, and in the minds of consumers everywhere. It may forever polarize or delight audiences, but if for no other reason, it will be remembered just as long.
While “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” still takes the #1 spot as my all-time-favorite Christmas film, “A Christmas Story” follows in closely behind in second place. It may not be everyone’s favorite, but it suits me just fine, and unlike most holiday films, it only seems to get better with age.
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