Review: Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)

The late John Hughes was a brilliant filmmaker, who specialized in films based in and around the city of Chicago. His movies usually revolved around the lives and trials of teenagers. On the occasion, however, Hughes did travel outside his comfort zone, and wrote scripts that revolved purely around adults. Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Starring Steve Martin and John Candy, was one such film. Often when two nig-name comics collaborate in this form of media, the results are disastrous, the two stars feeling it necessary to out-do one another. Planes, Trains & Automobiles is the exception to the rule. Released in 1987, the film was praised by critics and went on to become 21st highest grossing movie of the year.

Two men, who don't particularly like each other, rely on each other's help in order to get home in time for Thanksgiving.

"Six bucks and my right nut says we're not landing in Chicago."

Neal, played by Steve Martin, is the straight guy of this story. He's a big business type of guy, who clearly makes a lot of money, and spends little time with him family. He leads with his head, and doesn't have a lot time for games or nonsense.

Del, played by John Candy, is the complete opposite of Neal. Del is the lovable dope who leads with his heart. We love Del the minute we meet him, and we know that, with him, all is not quite as cheery as it seems.

"I haven't been home in years."

From the moment Neal and Del meet, they have a personality clash, not that Del notices this. Neal is immediately irriated by Del and would like nothing more than to be rid of him for good. Del, on the other hand, really likes Neal, and instantly considers him, and just about everybody else he meets, a friend. This initially makes us not necessarily dislike Neal, but we certainly don't like him as much as Del. Early on in the film, Del gives a great speech about liking himself, and that he won't change for a cynic like Neal. This is where Neal has a change of heart, and realizes that Del isn't really all that bad. Later in the film, when Neal discovers the truth about Del, we see Neal finally understand Del and appreciate Del for who he is. It's one of those warm and fuzzy, feel-good moments that always brings tears to my eyes. I'm such a dope... 

Steve Martin is one of the greatest comics around these days. He's very funny as Neal, however, his humour is subtle and understated. John Candy's humour, on the other hand, is obvious yet unintented, which makes for a great contrast between characters. It wouldn't have worked to have had both of these actors playing over the top eccentrics, so this film strikes a nice balance on the comedic front. Candy is completely lovable as Del, as he was in every single one of his roles. John Candy couldn't walk on the the screen without bringing a smile to everyone's face. He always played that character we loved; the one we rooted for. He is, and forever will be, sorely missed.

"I like... I like me."

John Hughes is a name that'll likely appear here a couple more times over the Christmas season, as he also wrote the screenplays to Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992). This man was a fascinating writer. The way he managed, as an adult, to tap into the teen mind is, as of yet, unmatched. However, this movie, Planes, Trains & Automobiles, proved that Hughes could also write convincingly for adults. Hughes was a one-of-a-kind filmmaker, and I imagine he'll be one of the ones that we always remember.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles is the best Thanksgiving movie that I know of, and the only one that I watch year and after year. 10/10

Trivia: In Planes, Trains & Automobiles, there's scene in which Neal, played by Steve Martin, angrily tells a car rental agent, played by Edie McClurg, that the car he has rented is not in its space. During this one minute scene, Martin says the word "fucking" 18 times. "Fuck" is then used a further time by McCurg. This scene was added to the final print of the film to give the movie a higher rating.

HAPPY (early) THANKSGIVING!