Road trip movies come no more festive than Planes, Trains and Automobiles – which hit screens in 1987. Written by 80s icon John Hughes, who wrote and directed The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off amongst others – traded all that to audiences an old-fashioned odd couple team up.
Neil Page (Steve Martin) is heading home to Chicago for Thanksgiving. Snowbound in New York with thousands of commuters, he soon finds himself talking to Del Griffiths (John Candy) as every flight gets cancelled. With limited options and the clock ticking, these two mismatched men soon join forces with the sole intention of getting him home for the holidays.
For anyone who loves this film the pleasure comes in those performances. They might be aided and abetted by some slick comedic farce, but both of these actors excel in bouncing off each other. Del Griffiths specialises in shower curtain rings, travelling coast to coast peddling the most inconsequential item everybody needs. Neil is in advertising, cynical of an outside world who define themselves through material wealth. In terms of ideologies these two men could not be further apart, yet together they find common ground.
Whether sharing a single bed, gradually destroying the only rental car they could hire, or incinerating Neil’s credit cards – Del Griffiths remains the heart and soul of this movie. Steve Martin might play the fall guy and get top billing in this buddy comedy, but John Candy is what keeps audiences coming back.
Some of the scenarios might feel contrived, but for many Planes, Trains and Automobiles ticks all the boxes when it comes to a Christmas movie. At various points on their journey Del lets slip small details, which only really fall into place in the closing minutes. Family and togetherness are central motivations here, as John Hughes constantly reminds audiences through cut aways to Neil’s wife Susan (Laila Robins).
With decorations up, children waiting and suburban trinkets adorning every shelf – this picture-perfect Thanksgiving is only available at the movies. As the film drifts between broad comedy and intimate character moments, it becomes apparent what makes this such a seminal classic. Unexplored aspects of America give colour to the story, as Del and Neil find themselves battling against the elements in various weather conditions. A trial of adversity which inevitably brings them closer together.
What John Hughes excelled at most, irrespective of the film, was his ear for dialogue which tapped into universal truths everyone could get behind. Whether it was capturing the limitless potential of young as personified through The Breakfast Club ensemble, or a sense of rebellion that Ferris Bueller so successfully embodied – John Hughes mastered the form on innumerable occasions before stepping away. His characters defined the 80s in a way only really recently replicated by the Duffer brothers in Stranger Things.
In this new shiny 4k Ultra HD format everything is polished, incidental music is crystal clear and visually Planes, Trains and Automobiles feels vibrant. For those after a little nostalgia, or just looking to spend time with John Candy once again – this John Hughes classic makes for a worthy addition to any 4k collection.
Planes, Trains & Automobiles is available on 4K Ultra HD™ now.
