Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Planes, Trains and Automobiles is one of those festive American comedies that has passed me by, along with much of the work from its stars, Steve Martin and John Candy. It also being much more of a Thanksgiving film probably hindered how often it could be found on TV but this year I saw it listed and felt it was time to see what this was all about. 

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and Martin's uptight New York businessman is rushing to make it home to Chicago to join his family for the celebrations. However, a severe weather storm grounds his flight in the middle of nowhere but a friendly fellow passenger, played by Candy, has an idea to get both of them to where they need to be just in time. 

Directed by the late John Hughes, who has had a hand in many popular family films since the 1980s, Planes, Trains and Automobiles runs at a brisk 90 minutes and is packed with heart, humour and two great leads. This is the type of film that might sound overly sentimental at first but Hughes does a great job keeping the story pacing along very nicely and succeeds in providing a very satisfying ending.

If you grew up with this film then it is an instant classic and if, like me, you are new to it then you will probably find yourself watching it again in a year or twos time. Planes, Trains and Automobiles is excellent and just such an easy heart-warming film to recommend.