Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Rating:
Summary: Good Pairing of Comic Legends
Review: When John Candy passed prematurely in 1994 it caused me more than a momentary sadness. From his days on "SCTV" to his film work Candy could elicit laughs just from his presence and inner warmth even in the lamest of vehicles. Candy had a prolific film career, that's not to say a consistent one ("Who's Harry Crumb?","Nothing But Trouble"). His constant film work might have been his way for portending his early demise. Among the dross Candy made a number of good films. I'm still waiting for my personal favorite, "Only the Lonely" with Maureen O'Hara playing his mother get a DVD issue. Fortunately for us, "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" is also one of his better films. The film concerns two disparate individuals, buttoned-down family man Neil Page(Steve Martin) and shower-ring salesman Del Griffith trying to get home for Thanksgiving. Through a series of coincidences or just Del attaching himself to Neil they end up traveling and boarding together throughout their sojourn. There are any number of hilarious scenes("Those aren't pillows!"). My personal favorite has to be one where the pair, bereft of cash, attempt to barter with a motel clerk for a room. Neil presents a valuable Swiss watch as colatteral. Del in turn brandishes a Casio. Alas, this is also a John Hughes film. Despite alot of inspired comic anarchy that preceded it, Hughes injects a Norman Rockwell sentimental moment at the end. That quibble aside, "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" is timeless comedy and a great opportunity to see these comic legends interact.

Rating:
Summary: Laughs, surely. But prepare to dab your eyes.
Review: The background music and John Candy's face--his posture--in the train terminal was one of the saddest things I've ever scene on screen. The movie is certainly full of hilarious moments, but often what draws me back to watching it again is wanting to see this man's performance. He played so beautifully his character's contrast between depression and jovialness.

Their male friendship became love, almost as intense as that shared between spouses. And BOY did they love their wives!

I don't recall whether this movie was ever really adored as much be female viewers, but in any case, it's John Hughes' hats off...

"To the wives!"


Rating:
Summary: Amazon Review Completely Wrong
Review: It's quite obvious that Marshall Fine has got the review for this movie way off and it's interesting to note that he's been blasted both here and at the US site.

Maybe he has this movie confused with something else because there are most certainly not any moments where there is only intermitent comedy, the comedy is there ALL the time.

I personally have not seen many better comedy movies than this and John Candy clearly demonstrated what a genius he was and could have been, sadly this will never happen.

There are so many funny moments during the course of the movie that it's probably not worth mentioning them, better to just see the movie.

One scene I will mention however and is worthy of extra merit is the scene on the highway when they're driving the wrong way, well let's just say that even after seeing this movie 20+ times I still cry with laughter by the time they've come off the highway. A bent over steering wheel and fingers embedded in the dash was just so original and truly funny like nothing ever before, very clever Mr Hughes.

Anyway to conclude PTA must surely be in the top 5 comedies of the last 25 years or maybe I must have been watching another movie.

Rating:
Summary: Planes, Trains and Automobiles(1987)****
Review: I love this movie. Great movie to watch on thanksgiving. When Neil Page(Steve Martin) is having enough troubles of his own trying to get home for thanksgiving, Dell Griffith(John Candy) basically tries to freeload his way home by traveling with Neil. As you might have guessed, they travel in planes, trains and automobiles trying to get home, but something would always go wrong to further delay there arival home for the holidays. They eventually get home in the end, and Dell reveals a secret to Neil at the end where the movie kind of turns from comedy to drama.Trust me you will like this movie. Definetly see it.

Good scene: 1When Neil flips out on the lady at the airport and says the word Fu#! a grand total of 17 or so times in that matter of 30 seconds.

Rating:
Summary: Heartwarming ending... but dated.
Review: Some movies like Vacation seem to shake the bonds of the year they were filmed, PT&A isn't that lucky. The 80's stamp is heavily placed right on the forehead of this movie. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but the music in sections is almost annoyingly "80's." There are a lot of laughs to be had, and while this is one of the better Steve comedies, many of the scenes seemed forced. I do like the chemistry though and with the 'sequel' craze of the early 90's am shocked to see this movie not getting one.

And I just found this out today... keep watching this movie even AFTER the credits roll:)

Rating:
Summary: Don't Forget The Extra Pillows
Review: After tackling just about every aspect of teenage life in the mid 80's, with The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Pretty In Pink, and my personal favorite Ferris Bueller's Day Off, director John Hughes decided it was time to play with adults. Planes, Trains, And Automobiles works because of its two stars and that it takes its humor seriously.

All Neal Page (Steve Martin) wants to do is make it home from a business trip in New York City and spend Thanksgiving with his family in Chicago. Instead, he finds himself rerouted from New York's La Guardia Airport to Wichita, Kansas. With no other options, Neal decides to share a room in a rundown motel with Del Griffith (John Candy), a shower-curtain-ring salesman and fellow stranded traveler. Although Neal thinks of Del as nothing more than a nusance, Del thinks of Neal as a pal. Trying to loose him doesn't help Neal just can't seem to get away from him. To make matters worse, all their efforts to get back to Chicago fail as trains break down and rental cars catch on fire. Along the way they encounter crazy cabbies, redneck truck drivers, and oversexed bus passengers.

Martin and Candy are great together. Without question, I think this was Candy at his best and he is a great foil for Martin, who while playing it straight is also a man slowly loosing his grip. As many times as I have watched the motel scene as the travelers prepare to go to sleep it gets me every time. The humor from Hughes script stays away from the slapstick stuff that hallmarked the Home Alone films. It works more off of Martin's reactions to the doings of Candy's loveable lout features fine performances from Martin and Candy. The film also boasts fun cameos by Kevin Bacon as a taxi chaser, Michael McKean as a State Trooper and Hughes ace in the hole, Edie McClurg, known for her role as the high school secretary in Ferris Bueller returns.

Sadly, the DVD doesn't have much in the way of extras. There's one deleted scene that, while nice to see--doesn't add much. Bloopers would have been fun. The theatrical trailer is there and that's it. An audio commentary with Hughes would be welcomed on the disc.

Planes, Trains And Automobiles is a trip still worth taking. I will say though--special edition anyone?

Rating:
Summary: My favorate movie ever......
Review: Everyone who reads this review probly has seen this movie, but ive seen this movie at least 100 times, and i love to death. Everytime i watch it i laugh for hours. If you never seen this movie, then you better get it because it is a classic.

Rating:
Summary: My favorite John Candy movie
Review: This is a very heartwarming movie. I did not expect such a tender ending to such a funny, funny movie. The ending had me welling up in tears, includding my 7-year son.

Rating:
Summary: Marshall Fine's editorial review is way off
Review: I am only writing a review for this movie because i read Marshal Fine's editorial review and needed to stick up for this fine work. Fine states that you would expect the movie to be funnier coming from Candy and Martin and the writing made the movie only intermittenly funny. What the hell was he watching. This is definately one of Candys and Martin's best work. Their chemistry is absolutely terrific and the writing could not possibly be better. The movie gets funnier and funnier as it goes along and the story is certainly entertaining enough to pull any comedy lovers interest. HOw could you possibly state that this movie does not deliver enough laughs. I would honestly put this on my favorite comedies of all time list. High recommending for fans of Martin and Candy. Candy's top performance of his career or at least in the top 3. Marshal Fine what are you smoking.