A Worst Nightmare…-Steve Martin and John Candy’s “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” (1987)-A Film Review

A Worst Nightmare…-Steve Martin and John Candy’s “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” (1987)-A Film Review

DVD Review

By Film Critic Sandy Salmon

Planes, Trains and Automobiles, starring Steve Martin, John Candy, directed by John Hughes, 1987

I will admit upfront that in the “golden age” of Saturday Night Live (SNL) when guys like Steve Martin, John Candy, John Belushi, Dan Ackelroyd, and Bill Murray to just name the male comics for our purposes here lighted up the late Saturday evening television screens I was not particularly a partisan. Didn’t stay home against the dreaded midnight phone call wait and instead went out to paint the town, or something like that. So mainly I know these great comics through their film works one they became established and bankable star. That is certainly the case with the two SNL alumni Steve Martin and John Candy who light up director John Hughes’ film Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

The premise here is pretty simple when you think about it centered on one’s worst nightmare scenario when you are trying to get home, in this case for the holidays, and every possible roadblock hits you on the head like a brick. Including a crazed maniac of a guy whose whole demeanor has you ready to start shooting and asking questions lately. That is what makes this Martin-Candy vehicle work-that difference in lifestyle and outlook. While some of the capers are over-the-top to these eyes overall they clicked in a big way.    

Here’s the simple idea explained quickly. Neal, Steve Martin’s role, a business executive after a big meeting in New York was set to fly home to Chi town for Thanksgiving. Already you know there is going to be grief. That grief had a name. Del, Candy’s role, an overzealous goof of a salesman (shower curtain rings if you need to know). Starting with “non-existent” taxi cabs in New York, delays and snowed Chicago, diversions to good awful Kansas even further away from Chi town and assorted modes of transportation they, the pair, do finally get to Chi town after bonding. And after that nightmare of a ride to the Windy City. We all have had some version of this escapade but hopefully only in our sleep. Candy is the max daddy who pulls this one off, no question. Good night sweet court jester.