Planes Trains and Automobiles
As promised, after watching The Jerk, I wanted to catch the other 'top' Steve Martin film. This weekend, I had some time to check that one out. So, without further introduction, here is 1987 John Hughes film Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
Now, I hope that I don't compare the two films that closely, but I have to say right at the start that I enjoyed this film more than The Jerk. And here’s why:
PT&A follows Neil Page (Martin) an advertiser in Chicago pitching a new campaign. The film opens up with him already being late for a flight. He rushes to the airport and boards a late flight home, only to be diverted to Kansas. There, he partners with Del Griffith (John Candy) in an epic journey home. Through their frustrations with one another, their friendship grows, peaking when they finally reach Chicago. This is a story about a man who has been intolerant of people all his life, and learns through his new friendship to be more accepting and tolerant.
And I have to ask: What happened to this sort of film? It's one of those that you just feel good after watching. It's one of those films produced on the cusp of the late 80s, and had a good warm feeling to it when all was said and done. There only seemed to be one plot problem to me, which involved Page's travel and his relationship to his wife. In the closing scenes of the film, it seemed as though more was at stake than originally offered. And skillfully executed, Griffith’s final expression truly emits the warm feeling he remembers from a time earlier in his life.
This film would have been the perfect date film, had I been dating back in the day. Both actors bring the characters alive, which as I’ve always stated, is something very important for me. If I feel that nothing is at stake, than I’m not sure why I'm watching. I felt connected to both men, in their struggles not only to travel, but to return to a place they one had left. It was the great 'return' story, not only in location, but in character, and attitude. And what's more, it was funny as well! Yeah, I think I liked this film, and wish I had caught more like it of its time. We're not really offered the same stuff these days.
7 of 10. Check it out, and feel right at home! Cuddle under a warm blanket, get that girlfriend/boyfriend/spouse/significant other/dog/cat/bird/lizard of yours, and enjoy the evening.
Now, I hope that I don't compare the two films that closely, but I have to say right at the start that I enjoyed this film more than The Jerk. And here’s why:
PT&A follows Neil Page (Martin) an advertiser in Chicago pitching a new campaign. The film opens up with him already being late for a flight. He rushes to the airport and boards a late flight home, only to be diverted to Kansas. There, he partners with Del Griffith (John Candy) in an epic journey home. Through their frustrations with one another, their friendship grows, peaking when they finally reach Chicago. This is a story about a man who has been intolerant of people all his life, and learns through his new friendship to be more accepting and tolerant.
And I have to ask: What happened to this sort of film? It's one of those that you just feel good after watching. It's one of those films produced on the cusp of the late 80s, and had a good warm feeling to it when all was said and done. There only seemed to be one plot problem to me, which involved Page's travel and his relationship to his wife. In the closing scenes of the film, it seemed as though more was at stake than originally offered. And skillfully executed, Griffith’s final expression truly emits the warm feeling he remembers from a time earlier in his life.
This film would have been the perfect date film, had I been dating back in the day. Both actors bring the characters alive, which as I’ve always stated, is something very important for me. If I feel that nothing is at stake, than I’m not sure why I'm watching. I felt connected to both men, in their struggles not only to travel, but to return to a place they one had left. It was the great 'return' story, not only in location, but in character, and attitude. And what's more, it was funny as well! Yeah, I think I liked this film, and wish I had caught more like it of its time. We're not really offered the same stuff these days.
7 of 10. Check it out, and feel right at home! Cuddle under a warm blanket, get that girlfriend/boyfriend/spouse/significant other/dog/cat/bird/lizard of yours, and enjoy the evening.
posted by Admin at 2:12 PM
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