Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

7/10

Starring

Steve Martin

John Candy

Directed by John Hughes

The late John Hughes was popular for having an eye for comedy and this is one of his very good ones. It had enough funny moments to keep in mind even after you are done watching the movie. The mismatched pair were a bowl of laughs for someone like me who had only heard about the movie and not seen it.

Each time the two parted, I didn’t have to wait long before strange unfortunate events brought them together again. When they are together it did not take long before strange things start to happen that will make you feel sorry for them both for they were never meant to share the same space within the confinement of a room or any form of transport.

The movie pushed the boundaries of human tolerance when it came to its characters. While watching, you will not be able to be on the side of one or the other as each one deserved to have life chocked out of them.

The movie was written, produced and directed by John Hughes. It was done way back in 1987 and although it is not about the Christmas season, it is about the holidays, Thanksgiving to be exact.

Hughes success in comedy in the 80s with classics like Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), made him a name to watch. This movie unlike Home Alone which was done in the 90s is not for young viewers because of the language used in this movie, but if you like me have not seen this movie before now, you should.

The movie starts with the introduction of one of our lead characters Neal (Steve Martin) and his plan to travel home for the holidays to be with his family. His journey never started well from the set go. He found it hard to get a taxi to the airport, when he finally did his flight was delayed. When he finally got a flight, he was flanked by the person that stole his taxi Del Griffith (John Candy).

The plane ride was already difficult, but they had to land due to bad weather, now stuck far away from home and unable to get any room in a motel, Neal had to bunk with Del.

Their unusual partnership started there which led to a train ride and a car ride of hell. Many times they pissed each other off and had to part ways only to be reconciled again and start to travel together as they both needed each other to get home.

A good movie to see again as I plan to in the future.