The late John Hughes has become a household name in 80s cinema. Over the course of his career, until his untimely death in 2009, Hughes created some of the most memorable and cherished films of my childhood. From the near-fantastical care-free adventures of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off to the timely and sympathetic commentary on adolescence in The Breakfast Club, John Hughes was a storyteller who sought to remind us of the better things in life and to find our own joy. In that way, he was a lot like the equally talented and optimistic Frank Capra. You know, the guy who made the greatest Christmas movie ever, It’s A Wonderful Life?
While Mr. Hughes did provide us with some of the best Christmas classics, including Home Alone and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, he also created one of the few pieces of essential watching for Thanksgiving, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. This is not only a wonderful pick for traditional holiday watching, but it’s also probably my favorite film of Mr. Hughes.
Released in 1987, the story follows a man named Neal (Steve Martin), who is on his way home to spend Thanksgiving with his family. However, after several unfortunate events, including a few missed flights and some misplaced papers, Neal finds himself tracking cross-country on the road. All the while, reluctantly accompanied by a shower curtain ring salesman named Del (John Candy), who often means well but seems to make things worse. Now, Neal must survive the trip to get to his family, all the while trying his best not to lose his sanity.
This movie is a comic gem. One of the high points of the film's comedy is its unique use of physical gags. While the writing and performances provide some witty and side-splitting jokes, the bulk of the film's humor comes from clever editing and insightful use of costumes & props. For example, a minor spoiler, early on, there is a scene when Del steals a cab from Neal. Later on, in the next scene, Neal sees Del in an airport waiting lobby and recognizes him. The film showcases this recognition in an incredibly clever way.
Allow me to show you.
This is one of the most clever bits of visual storytelling I have ever seen put to film. While it all chalks up to putting on a costume from earlier and placing a taxi door in front of Del, it serves as a perfect way to showcase Neal’s mental act of recognizing Del from earlier in the film. This kind of quick-cut editing to seemingly out-of-place elements to present a character's mental and emotional state is a masterclass of cinema's golden rule: show, don’t tell. These quirky and typically silly visual bits are sprinkled throughout the movie, making it a truly wonderful experience.
The performances from the two leads are what ultimately sell the story. They have remarkable chemistry and feed off of each other's energy incredibly well. While they deliver their well-written dialogue with conviction and nuance, their sense of comedic timing is pitch-perfect, which makes their occasional turns to the more dramatic scenes all, the more impactful. It’s much like the Robin Williams masterpiece, Mrs. Doubtfire, where they have the opportunity to showcase their talents as both comedians and dramatic actors.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is not just a perfect Thanksgiving movie; it’s a fantastic film overall. It’s loaded with charm, clever visuals, and classic moments that have aged remarkably well. Put this movie on while you wait for the turkey to cook. It’ll make it taste all the better.
Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading.
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