A cranky, closed off ad executive (Steve Martin) trying to
make his way home for the Thanksgiving holiday encounters an oafish, chain
smoking, chatterbox (John Candy), also Chicago bound, whom he is thoroughly unable to detach himself from during their
disastrous and many detoured excursion. As far as road movies, buddy comedies, or holiday pictures go,
it feels trite to gripe about John Hughes' Planes, Trains & Automobiles as it is probably one of
the finer entries in any of those genres, and contains more than its of share of laughs and, yes,
tender moments. However, the film does reach it's "Enough Already!" point both for scenarios
and soppiness and is not done any favors by its wretched, unnecessarily cheesed out score. Martin doesn't
always come off well either but Candy is ideal, whether for generating earned laughter or straight
pathos.
*** out of ****
