Customer Reviews

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (Widescreen)

5 star:		(151)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

In my opinion this is John Candy's best movie. They should dedicate it to him. Steve Martin does a great job playing the cynic. It will have you crying from hysterical laughter or from tugging at your heartstrings. It starts out with "Neal" played by Steve Martin getting out of a marketing meeting late in New York during rush hour he runs to catch a cab for the airport so he can spend Thanksgiving with his family. With two days to get there you figure he should be plenty early. You aren't counting obstacles like "Del" played by John Candy. While Neal is giving money to a lawyer to buy him out of taking a cab in front of him, Del loads his trunk in it and takes off. The meetings and journey these two have after that is one for the record books. Del does everything he can to get Neal home to his family. They must take a Plane, Pickup Truck, Train, Bus, Rental Car, Semi, and the El to make it to Neal's Chicago Home with a detour to Kansas City. Neal may miss his daughters Thanksgiving Play but he will get a life lesson from Del that is priceless. This is a great one to own on DVD.

When I think of "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" I smile. It is an absolutely wonderful movie. Yes, it is regarded as a comedy but when I think of it I think of it as more of a drama. The jokes don't get old. This is probably my favorite comedy of all time. Hughes takes the traveling nightmare genre to a whole new level. It's more a triumph in script writing than anything

For those who don't already know Planes, Trains and Automobiles is simple in its approach. Everything that can go wrong does. It's a comic routine that can be funny, but here it is a trip to hysterical. The plot is simple enough as well. Neal Page (Steve Martin) is on his way home for Thanksgiving. He's your typical businessman that works in New York and has a family he wants to see in Chicago. The only problem is everything from delayed flights to ripped up car tickets happen on the way. Only worsening matters, Del Griffith (John Candy), is along for the ride. An annoying shower curtain ring salesman, Neal can't get rid of him no matter how hard he tries.

John Candy gives the performance of his too short career as the traveling shower curtain ring salesman Del Griffith. What makes Candy's performance so impressive is that while Del is an obnoxious, annoying slob, Candy shows that this is a very lonely, sweet, kind, and caring man with a great heart. This is a man who is putting his needs behind the needs of another person, a complete stranger in Neil Page. Candy creates an incredibly complex man, who the audience really gets to know and genuinely care about. They say comedies are the hardest films to get nominated for Oscars, which is true. And while "PT & A" is no Best Picture winner, it certainly in my mind has a performance not just worthy of a nomination but of an Oscar as well. It would be interesting to see how Candy's performance would be regarded if the film came out today.

The ending, whew!, it's a rough one. And again, despite all the wonderful comedy in this film, whenever I think of "PT & A" I think of the wonderful character of Del Griffith and the powerful ending. If you haven't seen this movie, rent it. I strongly recommend it as a first rate comedy that doesn't come along often. Whether it's the music capturing the perfect mood in the hilarious bedroom scene or meeting Owen, it's an earnestly frantic and tender trip through the modern transportation system.

This is a hilarious movie. Too bad the DVD is NOT complete. There's no excuse for DVD's to have scenes missing! I've bought over 100 DVD's and I only regret four. Two were Canadian and poor quality sound, one was "public domain material" and poor quality picture, and the fourth was THIS DVD! This is the first DVD I've ever bought that had scenes missing. That's the main reason I read these reviews--to be forewarned. I wish someone had warned us about this one.

We need to order another copy of this one, my husband and I have worn out the first dvd hahahahaha....This is John Candy and Steve Martin at their absolute best. If you've had a bad day (or even a good one) this is time well spent. Laughs from beginning to end.

Call me silly, but I am 44 and have been watching movies most of my life. This is my #1 favorite movie of all time. It cant compare with the great movies throughout history, but they are not my #1 favorite....this one is. How is that for a review?

I have always loved this movie, it being one of my most favourite comedies. It will be eternally funny because we can all relate to it. How many of us have had travel plans disrupted one way or another through no fault of our own. Every time I watch this movie I pick up something new that I missed before. Next time you watch it, notice the title of the book John Candy is reading near the beginning when they are delayed and are sitting at the airport opposite each other. Also another thing that makes it funny and interesting today is the lack of technology when this movie was made...like they had to line up to use public phones. I recommend this movie for a good laugh!

Planes ,Trains & Automobiles is an all time comedy classic. A timeless comedy loosely based on directors personal experiences. Who better to play the two leading roles.... Candy & Martin

I wanted to add this to my collection mostly sue to the fact that I feel it was one of candy's BEST movies and for a film that cam bring tears to my eyes due to laughing so heard indeed it is a keeper.

This is a must have film for you, your friends and family

Plains,Trains and Automobiles(released Nov/87)starring Steve Martin and John Candy,is one of the late John Hughe's biggest successes on the screen.It is also one of the late John Candy's best films.John Hughes had a great feel in the 80s for teen speak and angst with such films as Pretty in Pink,16 Candles and The Breakfast Club,which established the now famous brat pack to his audiences.But I don't believe his forte was in comedy per se.His ideas in that regard stemmed less from situations but more in your face and exaggerated sight gags;that is less subtlety,more outrageousness.However there is no denying the then box office appeal of this movie and his others such as from the National Lampoon series.
This film involves the story of one Neal Page(Steve Martin) as a businessman who is anxious to leave NYC on a business there and get home to Chicago before Thanksgiving.He is hindered by a slow moving client(played wonderfully by William Windom-he also can be seen in the closing moments of the film,post credits)who stares and stares at Martin's presentation for what seems forever.When Page finally gets to leave he hails a cab and has a competing run down with Kevin Bacon(in a cameo role)and loses that.When he finally manages to get a cab it is surreptitiously scooped up by one Del Griffith(John Candy).It is not a good day so far and things are looking down from here for;three long days in fact.
Page finally manages to get on his flight and who sits beside him,but Mr Griffith who is a non stop annoyance to Page.Page learns,among other things whether he likes it or not,Griffith is a shower curtain hook salesman who is also going home to his wife.Along the way the flight is diverted to Wichita,Kansas due to a storm and Page and Griffith end up together once again.Griffith offers to "pull some strings" and they land in a motel.Not only does Page get stuck with the cab fare but he has to foot the motel bill;one room,one queen size bed.The two get into heated discussions and finally get to sleep.That night a thief steals all of Pages money and in the morning the two are closerthanthis in bed.This DVD isn't called "Those aren't pillows" edition for no reason!
The next day Griffith suggests taking the train to the Windy City but passenger trains don't run from Wichita,they go out of Stubbville.Del calls in another "favour" and the two get a ride there in the back of an open flat bed truck by a couple out of "Deliverance";freezing all the way.Once on the train and are home free,the train breaks down and they are forced to hike to a bus.On the bus Del suggests a sing a long.Page's suggestion doesn't register as well as Del's of The Flintstone theme.
Page and Griffith finally arrive in St Louis where Page suggests they part.Page makes arrangements for a rental car at the airport and when he is dropped off in the huge rental lot(seemingly miles away from the airport and left there)his car is not to be found.Walking back to the airport he's in a foul mood when he confronts a startled clerk,but no car is forthcoming as he tossed away his rental agreement at the lot.Outside he gets shoved onto the pavement by a parking concierge and almost gets run over by....Griffith who magically is driving a rental car!
The two agree to share the driving chores and Page takes the first watch as they speed back to Chicago.When its' Del's turn he falls asleep at the wheel,loses a cigarette in the back seat,ends up going the wrong way on the highway and while trying to take his coat off almost gets them killed.As they are standing outside the car retrieving Del's suitcase the cigarette finally causes the car to catch on fire and explode.Miraculously the now blackened hulk is still drivable and they manage to get to a motel.Page isn't speaking to Griffith but part way through the night he takes pity on a freezing Del sitting in the "car" and lets him inside.
Through adversity the two have now somehow bonded but the next day the pair are pulled over on the highway for speeding.Why? The speedometer is burned out,and the car is then impounded because it is ridiculously unsafe.Griffith again manages to get transportation,this time in the back of a trailer truck...refrigerated of course.Once in Chicago Del and Neal part ways at the El.On the train Neal starts to think back on his last three days and suddenly decides to return to the station hoping to catch Del,or at least make the effort to.To his surprise Del is still there.It seems his wife died nine years before and he hasn't any family left to go home to.Neal takes him home with him and introduces Del to his family as they all settle in for their Thanksgiving get together.
The film was well crafted and moves along at a fair clip.The gags roll from one into another as Page's anger ebbs and flows depending on what foolishness Griffith manages to concoct.Candy manages to instill some real emotion into his characterization on the screen.Griffith may be seem like a pain in the butt ne'er do well who won't stop talking,but underneath it all he is hiding alot of pain which is the reason for the annoying outward impression.It's a "don't judge a book by its cover" moral but done smartly.Martin keeps his character from going too over the top which would have ruined the laughs the makers were trying for.He just stays within the boundaries and the two make a good team.
Technically the DVD has been transferred well and is presented in its widescreen format.Extras include some featurettes:A Tribute to Candy,the making of the film and one on John Hughes himself.There is also a deleted scene included.
If you like your gags on the in-your-face side,along the lines of the National Lampoon series,Porky's,et al,then you'll love this movie.It is one of Hughes best grossing films from the 80s and it will please all the fans of both Steve Martin and a man we lost all too soon,John Candy.

This was a very fast recieved item i had recieved it very quick and i was realy pleased.. Thank you amazon for an amazeing price on a classic film... happy new year.. :)

basically this movie is a combination "Odd "Couple",'road trip
disaster' movie.it is insanely hysterical at times as well as very
heartwarming and touching.there are a few sober moments in the
film,giving you a break from laughing your butt off.the acting is good
all around.Steve Martin and the late,great John Candy work very well
together.they just seem to the perfect combination.Martin plays the
perfect straight man for Candy's antics,but Martin has his funny
moments as well.i can't think of any reason to dislike this movie.there
is one scene with Martin at the car rental agency where the f word is
used several times in a angry outburst.other than that,the movie would
be suitable for the whole family."Planes,Trains and Automobiles gets a
4.5/5 from me