This is a John Hughes film. I never really think about it as such, because Steve Martin and John Candy are front in center in my mind.
I should mention that this movie utilizes micro-scenes from known actors very well. By that, I mean, the movie opens with Kevin Bacon and Steve Martin (Neale) racing for the same New York taxi. Bacon is only in the movie for that scene, maybe three minutes tops, but it's a cool scene, and it was nice that Bacon played the part. It seems to add to the movie.Even shorter, Ben Stein plays an airline counter agent. He has one line and is in the movie for less that 20 seconds. But you notice him.
The use of "micro-scene performances" by known actors like Bacon and Stein interests me, because sometimes they seem "important" and "useful" when the parts are being played by someone we recognize. Other times, you might notice someone in a movie with a bit part, and you are left wondering, "Why did they bother to agree to be in the movie?"
In L.A. Story, for example, Rick Moranis has a 4-minute scene as the grave digger, but it's memorable and funny. Chevy Chase is also in the movie, but to no real purpose. Robert Downey, Jr. was in Bowfinger, but the scene could have been easily cut, and it wouldn't have made any difference. That's the kind of thing I'm thinking about. Sometimes, those micro-scenes matter, and sometimes you just wonder why they're there, or why they're there with a known actor.
Anyway, Plane, Trains and Automobiles must be one of the best "frenemy" movies of all time. Name one that's better, or even as close to as good as this one.
Although it's a ridiculously over-the-top comedy -- maybe my favorite part is when they continue to drive the burned-out husk of a car -- it ends on a serious note. Once they finally make it back to Chicago, Neale has a moment to reflect on the experience he's just had with Del (John Candy). It's had an incredible impact on Neale, and not only has he learned something monumentally important about himself, but he's also learned something important about humanity.
He ends up turning around and going back to the train station where they parted. He has a hunch that Del will still be sitting there, and when he finds that he is still sitting there, with no place to go, he invites him back to meet his family. They will share Thanksgiving together, and the film ends with a freeze on Del's smiling face. He's found a home.
What else can you say about this one? It has an awesome 80s soundtrack, cool scenes, and an amazing cast -- especially just the pairing of Candy and Martin, with Martin basically taking the role of the straight man.
One of my favorite bits:
They're sharing a bed in a motel.
Neale: Where's your other hand?
Del: Between two pillows.
Neale: Those aren't pillows!
I also love the classic scene at the car rental counter: Neale's rental car was not in the parking lot. He has to walk back two miles to the rental counter, and he uses the f-word 18 times. Then the agent (Edie McClurg) tells him he's f---ed. Just brilliant. The film got an R rating due to this scene, and I understand they also shot a "clean" version of the scene, but the punchline doesn't work without the build.
Final observation: The State Tropper (Michael McKean) is wearing a Wisconsin uniform. Neale and Del were supposed to drive from St. Lois to Chicago. That's a straight 5-hour drive up I-55. There'd be no reasonable way for them to end up in Wisconsin. Apparently, some of the deleted-scenes explain a little bit more about how they ended up driving past Chicago without even noticing, which again, sounds ridiculous, but the DVD copy I have doesn't include the deleted scenes... so I'm not sure what the explanation is, or why the drive between the two cities on one straight Interstate would be so confusing.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
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