Planes, Trains & Automobiles

Director: John Hughes

Year: 1987

Running Time: 93 Minutes

Rated: M

Genre: Comedy

Plot

Steve Martin is Neal Page, a man trying desperately to get home to his family in Chicago for Thanksgiving. When arriving at the airport his luck goes from bad to worse when he encounters Del Griffith, played by John Candy, a friendly good natured shower curtain salesman who is also incredibly irritating and never short of conversation. Much to Neal’s annoyance Del goes out of his way to help his new best pal get home in time for Thanksgiving. However on their seemingly endless journey the two experience delay after delay and go from one bizarre situation to the next.

My Thoughts

This is my favourite John Hughes comedy next to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. It’s full of laughs from nearly start to finish. The plot is simple but never at any point does it get boring, there’s always something going on. There are a few moments in the film when it does get a little serious but that’s part of the character development which works very well and always ends with a humorous spin.

Steve Martin and John Candy are both brilliant. Watching the inpatient and intolerant Neal slowly warm to likeable but annoying Del is hilarious, they have great chemistry and make the perfect on screen comedy duo. I can’t imagine anyone else playing their roles. It’s a shame they didn’t do more this kind of work together, as I’m sure it would have been as equally funny as this.

The soundtrack is very of its era, but with some quirky musical numbers, one in particular that sounds like it’s could be from Nintendo game.

This is a classic 80’s comedy overall that never gets old and can easily be watched time and time again. Its great fun and ends on a very touching and uplifting note. 

4.5 out of 5.