MOVIE REVIEW OF: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles 1987, R, Steve Martin, John Candy
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. No, this isn't a detailed history of the evolution of human transportation. Rather this is an ingenious comedy, wreaking of hilarious zaniness, with just enough heart and compassion to satisfy even the most cynical viewers of the genre. I must say that Sean and I are quit ingenious ourselves for selecting this as our first movie to review. I hope you all will feel the same. The movie opens with Neal Page (Steve "Guess My Age And Ill Give You A Cookie" Martin - The Father of the Bride, Roxanne, not The Return of the Jedi) attempting to take a flight home to Chicago so that he can join his family for Thanksgiving. The viewer can see right from the beginning that it will not be a cheery journey for Neal, as he loses a foot race for a cab in the mean streets of New York to a young Kevin Bacon "Cheeseburger" (Stir of Echoes, Hollow Man, not Ernest Goes To Camp) in a nice cameo (not to mention another means of doing the "Six steps to Kevin Bacon" formula). But what could you expect? Bacon Boy was in Footloose, for crying out loud! You can't beat him on his feet! Meet Del Griffith (John "Definitely Not Fat-Free" Candy - Uncle Buck, Stripes, not The Last of the Mohicans). Del is the typical annoyance factor in the business of shower curtain sales, who, by the magic of movie coincidences, will accompany Neal throughout his trip. Directed by John Hughes (Ferris Buellers Day Off, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, not Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood), PTA is a rambunctious comedy with a huge heart and some good old fashioned cheesy 80's music (Paul Young's "Everytime You Go Away" closes the film). I rank this movie among my all-time favorites. It is a must-see if you never have. And, if you have, go back and watch it again. Its one of those that just doesn't get old. The term "timeless classic" comes to mind. And I'm willing to bet that, due to conflicting schedules and the fact that Candy has been dead for 8 years, it will be the last film you will see the two make together. Memorable Scene: (Waking up one morning to the oldie "Im Back In Babys Arms") Martin: Why did you kiss my ear? Candy: Why are you holding my hand? Martin: Where's your other hand? Candy: Between two pillows. Martin: Those aren't pillows! Memorable Line: (At a car rental center) Martin: I want a (expletive) car right (expletive) now! Doug says: Watch for cameos from Ben "The Smartest Man Alive Named Ben Stein" Stein and Matthew "Or One Of The Other Laurence Boys" Laurence.		Doug and I agreed that we had to work on something that stood out-had style-was a classic-for our Feature Review. We both saw it coming. The movie we would choose to review was in the back of our minds, but in the front of our hearts. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles was bound to be our preliminary shot at fame and fortune in the movie reviewing enterprise, if any, due to its pure beauty as a flick. Imagine for a second, a movie comprised of the pinnacle moments of the careers of John Candy and Steve Martin. Then add the powerhouse of movie quality that came about in the late 80s. Stir in a Thanksgiving journey from New York to Chicago by way of, well, you can guess what forms of transportation they used to get there. Add a touch of humor, and a dab of emotion, and you will yield my favorite Thanksgiving movie, and perhaps one that ranks in my all-time top 10. You can't help but laugh at the conditions Neal Page (Steve Martin) finds himself in with his newfound friend Del Griffith (John Candy). An ending twist (along with the fabulous 80s music ;) makes this one deserving of shelf space. Memorable Line: "You're messing with the wrong guy!" Neal Page screams on numerous occasions. Memorable Scene: There are so many good scenes, but there is one that comes to mind first. This is when the notorious Griffith trunk flies off their car, they go to put it back on the car, and all the sudden a match that was dropped in the back seat torches the car as they sit and laugh about just tunneling between two semi trucks. Watch for the camera angle-great job John Hughes. Sean says: Another good Thanksgiving movie recommendation (for those of you so inspired to watch movies that pertain to the current holiday) is called Dutch, starring Ed O'Neill.

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