Of the holy trinity of American holidays—Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas—Thanksgiving has tended to get the short end of the stick when it comes to films. I dug Jodie Foster’s Home For Holidays and look forward to Eli Roth’s upcoming full-length feature version of Thanksgiving, but my favorite Thanksgiving movie to date has to be the late John Hughes’ 1987 comedy classic Planes, Trains And Automobiles.
Starring two of Hollywood’s finest comedic actors at the height of their powers—Steve Martin and the late, great John Candy—the film is a mismatched buddy comedy about an uptight advertising executive played by Martin who only wants to get home to Chicago in time for Thanksgiving but is foiled at every turn by circumstances beyond his control. To make matters worse, fate has forced him to travel with Candy’s annoying shower ring salesman.
Hughes creates classic comedic set pieces which the two actors play brilliantly like the infamous “those aren’t pillows” scene:
But what makes Planes, Trains And Automobiles such a memorable film is that it possesses something most comedies lack: genuine emotional resonance. Amidst all the slapstick and over-the-top humor is a real relationship between two very different men who form a bond through their adverse adventures. We care about these guys and one of the main reasons for this is John Candy’s sublime performance.
Candy may have garnered recognition for his comedic talent but I don’t think he’s ever gotten his fair shake as a dramatic actor. Well, look no further than this film for proof of his fine dramatic skills. His performance here is not just a work of comedic genius, but also one that will break your heart. The final shot of Candy’s face when Martin has brought him home for Thanksgiving after realizing Candy is all alone and has no one to spend the holiday with conveys as much emotion as anything a more “serious” actor could’ve done. Here’s the last six minutes of the film:
If you’re like my family, after your Thanksgiving meal, you’ll go into a food coma and just want to pluck yourself in front of the TV and watch a movie. And what we usually end up watching is Planes, Trains And Automobiles. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the holiday.
Happy Thanksgiving!
When I first saw this movie, I wasn’t old enough to appreciate it, but that was some pretty good stuff
ahhhh a more innocent time
good to see comedic heavyweights doing some hard acting from time to time. love the last 6 minutes of the film. surprisingly nice touch to a “comedy”
“Where’s your hand?”
“Between two pillows.”
“That’s not a pillow!!!”
Scene where Steve Martin and Jon Candy are spooning each other. Classic, classic film.