Planes, Traines, and Automobiles

Review: John Hughes' Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is a road comedy about two men trying desperately to get home for Thanksgiving and having every obstacle imaginable thrown in their way. Steve Martin (Parenthood) and John Candy (JFK) each deliver one of the best comedic performances of their careers. There are moments in the film where you find yourself laughing out loud, yet at the same time your heart sinks and you feel for the characters. For example, in the motel room when Neal is fed up with Del's annoying habits, he lets him have it, and you can litterly see the genuine pain in Candy's face as he listens quitely with tears welling in his eyes. The ending of the film is quite powerful and moving. As Neil rides the subway home, he reflects back on the crazy events he has just experienced and starts to piece some bits of information together regarding Del, which I won't spoil for you here. It's scenes such as this that elevate it beyond the majority of comedies, and it is why it ranks as one of my favorites of all-time. Oh yeah...the "your fucked" scene is a riot. -Review by Aaron Caldwell