Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Year: 1987

Running time: 93 minutes

Certificate: 15

Language: English

Screenplay: John Hughes

Director: John Hughes

Starring: Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins, Michael McKean, Dylan Baker, Edie McClurg, Kevin Bacon

Probably John Hughes' best film, although due to my youthful susceptibility to it when I saw it, The Breakfast Club is still my personal favourite, Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a comedy that invites you to laugh at two hapless characters struggling with a nightmare road trip, while at the same time subtly leading you to empathise with them by the heartstring-tugging ending.

Planes, Trains, Automobiles...and feet.

Neal Page (Steve Martin) is a man with a successful career in advertising, who is trying to make it home to his family in time for Thanksgiving. A myriad of hurdles are put in his way, from cancelled flights to unhelpful clerks and terrible weather, but his biggest hurdle is Del Griffith (John Candy), a shower curtain ring salesman that Neal just can't seem to get away from.

Events conspire to get them travelling together for the majority of the trip, and there is much comedy to be mined from Neal's frustration with the hapless Del, but there is a deeper layer here than just silly yet beautifully performed comedy. Neal is a self-sufficient man, preferring to make his way home on his own as quickly and efficiently as possible, while Del is constantly trying to do his best for people, and is genuinely invested in helping Neal get home. When Neal loses his temper at Del, you can really see his injured feelings on his face - Candy plays it beautifully and it is a poignant and sad moment sitting between the laughs. Del knows he will often screw up, that he tries too hard, but it comes from a place of wanting to be helpful, so as much as you can understand Neal's frustration, the character you feel for the most is Del.

No more fucks to give.

Even though Candy steals most of the show, the most memorable scene belongs to Martin. Pushed beyond breaking point, having walked along freeways, down snowy slopes and across runways to get back to the car rental place that dropped him off with keys to a car that wasn't there, he delivers a foul-mouthed outburst that gave the film its 15 rating, when every other part is pretty much PG. It is simply joyful to watch Martin perform this monologue, and along with dozens of other scenes in a raft of other movies, demonstrates why Martin is still counted among the all time comedy greats, even after making Cheaper By the Dozen. And Cheaper By the Dozen 2.

The ending is just lovely, as Neal finally connects the dots, finally listens to what Del has been telling him in between the inanities, and finds his empathy. It's one of those beautiful soul-enriching endings that just leave you on a high, with a little more faith in people than you had at the start. I don't know about you, but I'm feeling the need for those films more than ever just now.

Score: 8/10*

*I know I only gave The Breakfast Club 7 even though I said it was my favourite John Hughes film, but I don't know, something about how I felt when I watched Planes, Trains and Automobiles this time round struck a strong chord. Look it's my film review blog and I can be inconsistent if I want.

Everyone seems to be in agreement, judging by these write ups from William at Little White Lies and Roger Ebert.