Happy 100th film everybody!
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When you google “Thanksgiving movies”, not a whole lot comes up. But I was determined to try something new for the season, so here we are…
“Planes, Trains and Automobiles” is about Neal Page, a stuffy businessman trying to get home to his family for Thanksgiving, and his encounters Del Griffith, a bombastic but cuddly salesman. Fate brings these two together on a plane as a storm reroutes them from their Chicago-destination to Kansas. With few options and bad weather, the two team up to claw their way back to Chicago by Thanksgiving, managing a patchwork itinerary of…well…planes, trains, and automobiles.
This story is fantastic and Steve Martin and John Candy are fantastic…er! I think I was destined to feel this way; as a genre “wacky comedy with heart” is right down my alley. And while this film pushes the boundaries of a grounded narrative with F-bomb laden outbursts and car explosions, it manages to tell a very real, heartfelt story about family, friendship, and reluctant cooperation. This film is still funny, still insightful, and still a great watch.