Review of Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) by Matt P — 05 Jun 2011

I really think that John Hughes is a one of a kind, underrated director. This film, "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" showcases that notion. He's a director that can capture the innocence seen through the eyes of a child, the abuse inflicted upon the lives of five teenagers ("The Breakfast Club"), and glorify the life of a high school swindler. But it is in "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" that his true work shines. We already know he can do inappropriate, teenage-like humor, along with potty-humor, but this is the film that set it in stone that Hughes is a versatile, one of a kind entertainer.

It's a comedy for adults. In a series of a screwball events, one rather cynical man (Neal Page, played by Steve Martin), struggles to get home for Thanksgiving. He's accompanied by Del Griffith (John Candy), and the two embark on a comedy of errors that has the audience laughing at their mishaps. It's unfortunate, some of the things that happen, but in a genre such as this it's always okay to laugh at their bleak circumstances. I think what made this film good from the start was the immediate set-up. Here you have two completely different kinds of people; a pessimist, and optimist. Sort of clich?(C), but in the long run you can sort have guess that one will ultimately change the other by the end. It's a touching sort of journey, and by happenstance the two can never seem to rid of one another.

There is heavy symbolism in this film. From the very beginning, Neal Page literally trips into situational irony. By falling over a large suitcase, he later finds that its owner was the same man who "stole" his cab (Candy's character). Now whether or not all the events that come up like this are coincidental or whether they were planted there purposely, it all makes for great sentimental value and a feel-good film. I will admit, some of the techniques (including the soundtrack) were a little out-dated. And at times I was afraid the film was going to become overly-sentimental. Like for example (here be spoilers) in the end I really thought it was over-dramatic for the wife to shed a tear after her husband's only been gone for two days. I was half-expecting the film to end with slides of their new adventures in the house and Chicago, almost like a ?ll-House" episode. But nonetheless, the film's sense of history does not distract, it rather strengthens even though the meaning (overall moral) of the story could be continued today in our everyday lives. This movie will look better with every passing year. "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" may seem like "one of those 80s" films at first, but it's a film that's all heart, it knows what it's going for. Easily one of my favorite Hughes' films, and not far off from his best.