Post by StevePulaski on Feb 9, 2010 11:38:13 GMT -5
Neal and Del seem to have a love/hate relationship in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.
Rating: 3½/4 stars.
"You wanna hurt me? Go right ahead if it makes you feel any better. I'm an easy target. Yeah, you're right, I talk too much. I also listen too much. I could be a cold-hearted cynic like you... but I don't like to hurt people's feelings. Well, you think what you want about me; I'm not changing. I like... I like me. My wife likes me. My customers like me. 'Cause I'm the real article. What you see is what you get." -John Candy, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.
One, among many, of my favorite quotes in this here unforgettable film. It starts out a mild Comedy, then works into a pure Drama. Both Steve Martin and John Candy were at the height of their career when this movie rolled into cinemas in 1987. From the works of late and great John Hughes, is Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.
Neal Page (Steve Martin) is an advertising executive who is short tempered while trying to get home to his family for the Thanksgiving holiday. After screaming at Del Griffith (John Candy) for "stealing" his cab, little does Page know he will soon run into the loveable lumix again.
On a plane to Chicago, Neal realizes that he cant escape Del after finding he has a seat with him on the plane ride to Chicago. Unluckily the flight is incapable of going to Chicago because of a big storm, and re routes them to Kansas. The duo must learn to cope with each others tensions and some annoying aspects in order to get back to Chicago.
But of course, obstacles and roadblocks come frequent on their way home. When the wallet is lost, the car catches fire, and other laughable tactics they believe all hope for them is lost. Though there is always a light at the end of the tunnell in this film.
When John Hughes past away, this was one of the films I thought of instantly before National Lampoon's Vacation and The Breakfast Club. Its a great movie about the brotherly bonding of two stangers. None mean any harm, they are just frustrated (one is) and trying to do a simple task of getting home to their families.
I can go on, for about thirty more paragraphs explaining the customs of this film and what makes it unique. Regardless of some stupid humor, its a great John Hughes film that beats Dutch and National Lampoon's European Vacation by a long shot. Steve Martin and John Candy were the perfect duo of the 80s, and definitely a film on one of the greatest films of all time. A classic original film, that will NEVER be made again.
Starring: Steve Martin and John Candy. Directed by: John Hughes.