“How would he know where we’re going?”
The late John Hughes had cornered the market on teen comedies and this was his first foray into more adult fare. It would also be the first film to pair comedic legends John Candy and Steve Martin. The results are a Thanksgiving treat that is anything but a turkey.
Neal Page (Steve Martin) is a tightly wound ad executive. He’s trying to get from a New York business meeting to his family in Chicago with two days till Thanksgiving. Neal is late for his flight and tries to hail a cab with little success.
He appeals to the good nature of someone who has already gotten a cab. That person turns out to be a lawyer and lacking of a good nature and while Neal is “buying” the cab from the shyster someone loads up their luggage and takes the cab. He chases it down and flings open the door to tell the rider to get out, but the cab takes off with the startled occupant. Neal finally makes it to the airport and notices the person from the cab sitting across from him.
That fellow is accident-prone shower curtain ring salesman Del Griffith (John Candy). He tries to make nice with Neal for grabbing his cab, but Neal is just ready to get on the flight and go home. Sadly his secretary booked coach instead of first class and he ends up sitting next to Del. Further horrors ensue when the flight is diverted to Wichita because of a blizzard. In order to get home Neal and Del join forces and the results are comedic gold.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is funny, funny, and funny. John Candy and Steve Martin make a grand team and it’s a shame that they weren’t paired before and where not after the film, though they did have roles in Little Shop of Horrors (1986). It’s sad to realize that both John Hughes and John Candy are no longer with us. It’s even more shocking to realize that both would die from heart attacks at extremely young ages, Candy was 43 and Hughes was 59.
Candy and Martin bounce off each other like pros and Hughes has written them a wonderful film to display their comedic talents in. Not only that but it has enough human pathos to make it hit some emotional strings as well. Candy proves that he’s an actor that could do both drama and comedy with equal skill.
Hughes also had to prove that he wasn’t just mired in teen comedy and proved that he could write and direct comedy for all ages. A fitting tribute of hilarity to both of the dearly, and too suddenly, departed.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) and is enhanced for 16x9 televisions. Special features include the 16 minute “Getting There is Half the Fun” that has vintage interviews with Hughes, Candy, Martin, and Kevin Bacon with new footage with executive producer Neil Machlis, Michael McKean, casting directors Jane Jenkins and Janet Hirshenson, and Edie McClurg.
The 4-minute “John Hughes for Adults” which talks about the director was going for a more adult picture and is a mini-tribute. There’s also a 3 minute “Tribute to John Candy” and a 3 minute deleted “Airplane Food” scene that appears in television showings of the film. There are also previews of other Paramount Pictures.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is a delicious holiday meal. When you’re done with it you’re belly will be aching… from laughing so much. Steve Martin and John Candy make a helluva team. Add in John Hughes and they all go together like stuffing and cranberry sauce.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (Those Aren't Pillows Edition) is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for this version of the DVD in the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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