Retro Movie Review: “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” is an unforgettable Thanksgiving classic

Retro Movie Review: “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles”

Now that a wonderful witching season is behind us, it’s time to look to the holidays, and there is absolutely no better movie to take us into Thanksgiving than the ’80s comedy classic “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles,” directed by the great John Hughes. Following a string of teen-centric classics like “The Breakfast Club,” “Sixteen Candles,” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” this wonderful talent would deliver the road movie to end all road movies! And while this particular film would find Hughes directing more adult-oriented fare for the first time, this was hardly a complete departure for the man. He did, after all, pen “National Lampoon’s Vacation” several years earlier.

We may live in cynical times. but hope is alive and well in this world. And while the constant bickering by the odd couple at the heart of “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” might suggest otherwise in the early goings, rest assured that empathy reigns supreme in what turns out to be something substantially deeper than an instantly quotable and righteously hilarious comedy staring two funny men at the very top of their game.

Steve Martin is Neal Page, an uppity business man looking to make it home to spend a lovely Thanksgiving holiday with his wife and kids. Unfortunately, a cancelled flight puts a damper on Page’s plans. Adding insult to injury, this impatient family man finds himself constantly running into Del Griffith, a lovable but slightly irritating shower-curtain-ring salesman who could be best described as Page’s polar opposite. Eventually, this mismatched pair attempt to work together in an effort to get to Chicago by any means necessary. It won’t be easy, however, as seemingly petty arguments and a series of fittingly over-the-top mishaps plague this most unfortunate duo. Ultimately, though, this is a road trip movie that’s as laugh-out-loud hilarious as it touching and poignant.

“Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” navigates tricky terrain in that even though Griffith is a bit on the annoying side, he’s never anything short of endearing. Likewise, Page might be the occasional asshole, but he’s still a wholly likable individual. In the case of both of these characters, the reason it’s impossible to hate them is because Martin and Candy are too damn good to let that happen.

Page is increasingly irritated by Griffith throughout much of this spirited film, but by the end of their epic journey, a heartbreaking truth brings out genuine compassion in Neal. It’s this sense of truth and compassion that elevates this pitch-perfect comedy to classic status.

For all its unforgettable laughs — the very R-rated rental-car sequence is one for the ages, and props to Hughes for pleading with Paramount Pictures to keep this particular scene intact in what would otherwise be a PG-13 rated affair — “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” is truly required viewing, because in the end, it shows the very best of our humanity.

The willingness to help one another in a time of need is a human trait that we must always hold on to, particularly in cynical (and divided) times, and while this theme has been explored in countless films, it is the very heart and soul of the cinematic gem that is “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.”

So this November, be sure to cuddle up next to the ones you love — with or without
pillows — and take in a viewing of this quintessential Thanksgiving classic. A word to the wise, though: If you have kids with you, plug their ears during that previously mentioned rental car scene. It offers up what is arguably the most effective use of the “F” word ever committed to film.

Gobble gobble, everyone!

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