Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Were it not for the profanity-laden opening scenes, John Hughes' Planes, Trains and Automobiles might have been suitable family entertainment: certainly it's heaps less violent and mean-spirited than Hughes' Home Alone. En route to Chicago to spend Thanksgiving with his family, easily annoyed businessman Steve Martin finds his first-class plane ticket has been demoted to coach, and he must share his flight with obnoxious salesman John Candy. A sudden snowstorm in Chicago forces the plane to land in Wichita. Unable to find a room in any of the four-star hotels, Martin is compelled to accept Candy's invitation to share his accommodations in a cheapo-sleazo motel. Driven to distraction by Candy's annoying personal habits, the ungrateful Martin lets forth with a stream of verbal abuse. That's when Candy delivers the anticipated (but always welcome) "I don't judge-why should you?"-type speech so common to John Hughes flicks. The shamefaced Martin tries to make up to Candy, but there's a bumpy time ahead as the mismatched pair make their way back to Chicago, first in a balky train, then by way of a refrigerator truck. We know from the outset that the oil-and-water Martin and Candy will be bosom companions by the end of Planes, Trains and Automobiles, but it's still a fun ride. Best bit: A half-asleep Candy thinking that he's got his hand tucked between two pillows-until his bedmate Martin bellows "Those AREN'T PILLOWS!" — Hal Erickson