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Plot, Details & Awards

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

R In Theaters 11/26/1999 , 93min.
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Plot & Details

Were it not for its 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 Neal Page (Steve Martin) finds his first-class plane ticket has been demoted to coach, and he must share his flight with obnoxious salesman Del Griffith (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, Neal is compelled to accept Del's invitation to share his accommodations in a cheapo-sleazo motel. Driven to distraction by Del's annoying personal habits, the ungrateful Neal lets forth with a stream of verbal abuse. That's when Del delivers the anticipated (but always welcome) "I don't judge, why should you?"-type speech so common to John Hughes flicks. The shamefaced Neal tries to make up to Del, 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 Neal and Del will be bosom companions by the end of Planes, Trains and Automobiles, but it's still a fun ride. The best bit: a half-asleep Del thinking that he's got his hand tucked between two pillows -- until his bedmate, Neal, bellows "Those aren't pillows!"
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • Genre(s): Comedy
  • Run Time: 93min.
  • Theatrical Release Date: 11/26/1999
  • DVD Release Date: 11/21/2000
  • Status: In Theaters
  • Distributor(s): No Studio
  • Director(s): John Hughes
  • Starring: Steve Martin , John Candy , William Windom , Laila Robins , Michael McKean
  • Themes: Nothing Goes Right,Finding a Way Back Home
  • Tone: Humorous,Affectionate,Goofy,Heartwarming,Madcap,Sentimental,Sweet
  • Keywords: Thanksgiving,accident,aerial,cross-country,escapades,family,family-strife,holiday,journey,mistake,on-the-road,pest,road-trip,salesperson,train [locomotive],transportation,traveling,yuppies
  • Country of Origin: USA (11-25-1987)
  • Language: English
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