Planes, Trains And Automobiles - A Holiday Classic

01 Jul, 2025

For many, the mention of November's chill and the scent of pumpkin pie brings to mind a particular movie, a rather funny and heartfelt story from 1987. This is the one about a road trip, a truly memorable comedy that brought together two very different people, played by Steve Martin and John Candy. It's a film, you know, that has become a familiar part of the Thanksgiving season for a lot of folks across America, showing us the ups and downs of trying to get home for the holidays.

But there’s, in a way, a whole lot more to this cherished holiday picture than what you might first see on the screen. Beyond the laughs and the travel mishaps, it holds a special place in people's hearts. You can find out what critics and audiences think about this film, including its reviews and ratings, by checking out places like Rotten Tomatoes, where you can keep up with how it's scored even today.

This film, as a matter of fact, really gets its strength from the true personalities of the people acting in it. It feels like everyone picked for a part fits just right, and the way the story is put together is very solid, allowing everything else to just unfold naturally. This particular movie also marked a significant change for its writer and director, John Hughes, as it was his first big step away from telling stories about the struggles of being a teenager, and it still stands as a truly important holiday movie for many who love it, even nearly four decades later.

The Story of Two Travelers
Who Brought Planes, Trains and Automobiles to Life?
- Steve Martin - The Uptight Executive
- John Candy - The Overbearing Salesman
Why is Planes, Trains and Automobiles a Holiday Must-Watch?
How Does Planes, Trains and Automobiles Hold Up Today?
What Makes the Casting of Planes, Trains and Automobiles So Good?
Where Can You Watch Planes, Trains and Automobiles?
The Enduring Appeal of Planes, Trains and Automobiles

The Story of Two Travelers

Imagine, if you will, a man who works in advertising in Chicago, someone who simply needs to get home. This is Neal Page, played by Steve Martin, a person who tends to be a bit stiff and proper. His goal is to make it back to Chicago for Thanksgiving, but a whole lot of delays make his journey incredibly difficult. These holdups mean he has to share his travel with a salesperson who means well but is, you know, rather overbearing. This other fellow is Del Griffith, brought to life by John Candy, who sells shower curtain rings.

The film, as I was saying, puts these two very different people together on what becomes an unexpected adventure. Neal, the irritable marketing executive, finds himself in one terrible situation after another, all thanks to these travel issues that just keep piling up. It's almost as if the universe has decided to throw every possible obstacle his way. From the moment their paths cross, it becomes clear that getting home won't be simple, and it certainly won't be boring, which, you know, is quite a lot to deal with when you just want to be with your family.

The story really centers on Neal’s struggle to get from one place to another, and how he ends up sharing all sorts of transportation with this very cheerful salesman. If something is painful, or makes you laugh, or is just plain unbelievable, it seems to happen to Neal. Steve Martin, as Neal, and John Candy, as Del, are truly wonderful as two individuals who seem to have a knack for making a bad situation even worse, but in the funniest ways possible. This holiday tale, honestly, shows what happens when travel goes completely wrong, but with a lot of heart along the way.

Who Brought Planes, Trains and Automobiles to Life?

The magic of "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" comes from the people who created it and the people who acted in it. John Hughes, the person who put the story on paper, brought it to the screen, and guided its making, truly shaped this piece. He was known for his stories about young people, but this film showed a different side of his creative work, moving into a more grown-up kind of comedy. It's quite interesting, in a way, to see how his storytelling evolved with this particular movie.

Then there are the stars, Steve Martin and John Candy. Their presence, you know, is what makes the film so special. They are not just actors playing parts; they embody the characters in a way that feels very real and deeply human. The story of "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" is built on the very core qualities of these performers, making the film feel authentic and heartfelt. It's like, they just fit so perfectly into their roles, and everything else simply flows from that natural connection they had on screen.

Steve Martin - The Uptight Executive in Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Steve Martin takes on the role of Neal Page, the advertising executive who is, quite frankly, a bit tightly wound. He's the kind of person who likes things to go according to plan, and when they don't, he gets pretty upset. His character is the straight man to Del's more free-spirited nature, and his reactions to the chaos around him are, you know, a big part of what makes the film so funny. You can almost feel his frustration as one travel disaster after another unfolds, making his journey home for Thanksgiving a complete mess.

His performance, in some respects, really captures the feeling of being stuck and just wanting to be somewhere else. He shows us the anger and the irritation that builds up when everything goes wrong, but also the slow, sometimes reluctant, softening of his character as he spends more time with Del. It’s a very relatable experience, this feeling of being pushed to your limits by unforeseen circumstances, which, you know, is something many people can understand, especially during busy holiday travel.

John Candy - The Overbearing Salesman in Planes, Trains and Automobiles

John Candy plays Del Griffith, the well-meaning but, let's just say, rather overbearing shower curtain ring salesman. Del is the kind of person who talks a lot, shares too much, and seems to attract trouble, but always with a good heart. He is, basically, the opposite of Neal, and their contrasting personalities create a lot of the humor and, eventually, the warmth of the film. His character is full of optimism, even when things are going terribly wrong, which is, you know, quite a refreshing outlook to have.

Candy's portrayal of Del is, honestly, quite touching. He manages to make Del annoying and lovable all at once. You see his genuine desire to help and to connect, even if his methods are a bit clumsy or overwhelming. It's his openness and kindness, in fact, that eventually starts to break through Neal's defenses. His ability to find humor and humanity in even the most challenging situations is, you know, a truly remarkable aspect of his work in "Planes, Trains and Automobiles."

Why is Planes, Trains and Automobiles a Holiday Must-Watch?

This film has earned its place as the most beloved Thanksgiving movie of all time, and for some very good reasons. It captures the very real stress and craziness that can come with holiday travel, something that many people can relate to. The idea of trying to get home for a special occasion, only to have everything go wrong, is a pretty universal experience, or at least a universal fear. It's like, the movie just gets it, you know?

Beyond the laughs, the film also has a lot of heart. It’s about unexpected connections and finding common ground with people you might not ordinarily spend time with. The bond that forms between Neal and Del, despite all their differences and the initial annoyance, is what makes the movie so special and, you know, quite touching. It reminds us that even in the midst of chaos, there can be moments of kindness and friendship, which, actually, is a pretty good message for any holiday.

How Does Planes, Trains and Automobiles Hold Up Today?

Even though "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" came out in 1987, it still feels very fresh and funny today. The humor isn't tied to specific trends that would make it feel old; instead, it comes from the timeless situations of travel mishaps and personality clashes. The jokes, you know, still land, and the characters still feel real, which is a pretty good sign of a truly well-made film. It's almost like the basic human experience of travel frustration hasn't changed much over the years.

The film’s emotional core also keeps it relevant. The themes of perseverance, acceptance, and the importance of human connection are, as a matter of fact, always important. It doesn't rely on special effects or complicated plot twists; its strength comes from the simple, yet profound, story of two men trying to get home. This, you know, makes it a movie that people can come back to again and again, finding new things to appreciate with each viewing.

What Makes the Casting of Planes, Trains and Automobiles So Good?

The choice of Steve Martin and John Candy for the main roles is, frankly, what makes this movie truly shine. It's not just that they are funny individuals; it's how their particular styles and comedic timing play off each other. Martin’s dry wit and physical comedy, paired with Candy’s warm, often clumsy, and very expressive humor, create a dynamic that is just perfect. You know, it’s like they were made to be in a movie together, even if their characters start out hating each other.

The film’s creators, it seems, understood that the essential qualities of these actors would really bring the story to life. It’s not just about what the characters say, but how the actors deliver it, the expressions on their faces, and the subtle ways they show their feelings. This kind of casting, where the performers fit their roles so naturally, is, you know, what allows everything else in the film to feel so right and just unfold in a very believable way.

Where Can You Watch Planes, Trains and Automobiles?

For those who want to revisit this classic holiday tale, or perhaps experience it for the first time, it's pretty easy to find. Currently, you are able to watch "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" by streaming it on MGM Plus. This means you can, you know, probably watch it from the comfort of your own home, whenever you feel like a good laugh and a bit of holiday cheer.

The availability of films like "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" on streaming services makes it really convenient for people to enjoy their favorite movies without much fuss. It's just a few clicks away, which, honestly, is a far cry from the kind of travel troubles Neal and Del faced. So, if you're looking for something to watch that will make you smile and perhaps feel a little thankful, this film is, you know, readily available.

The Enduring Appeal of Planes, Trains and Automobiles

The lasting popularity of "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" really speaks to its quality and its ability to connect with people on a deeper level. It’s more than just a series of funny events; it’s a story about human connection, perseverance, and finding common ground in the most unlikely of circumstances. The film, you know, manages to be both incredibly funny and genuinely moving, which is a pretty hard balance to strike.

John Hughes’s move away from teen-focused stories with this film proved that his storytelling abilities went far beyond one type of audience. It showed his skill in crafting narratives that resonate with grown-ups, dealing with adult frustrations and the unexpected friendships that can come from them. This movie, in a way, solidified its place as an essential holiday viewing experience for many, nearly forty years after its initial release, and its charm, you know, just keeps on going.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) - Posters — The Movie Database (TMDB)

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Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) - Backdrops — The Movie Database

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