Planes Trains and Automobiles remains one of my favorite films. It contains all the necessary ingredients for a classic comedy. In no little part its success and personal appeal exists because it happens to star two of the best comedy actors of recent times. Namely Steve Martin who plays Neil Page, and John Candy (RIP), who plays Del Grifith.
It would be totally impossible to sufficiently explain within here all the reasons why I have found myself to be attached to this movie for over 20 years now. Quite obviously it's a very funny film. John Hughe's script and direction is hilarious from the off. However, there's so much more to it than that. Rather than a 2 dimensional story, this one has great depth and weight. The 2 main characters could not be more different from each other. They are they two personality types who would never normally mix. To be honest this outlook and attitude would be far more expected from the Steve Martin character as he is a snob and a bit of an elitist. John Candy's character however is a lovable common man, a salesperson, who tries to be everything to everybody. Indeed, as he says in the movie, he 'tries too hard'. SM is the perfectionist and high flyer. JC is a bit of a slob, but can talk to just about everyone.
This is certainly not a spoiler in any way. However, the viewer, when watching the movie for the first time, may feel as though there is a desperation inherent in the JC character, almost as though he possesses a deep need to stick close to SM, and to remain by his side for a long as possible. Why this is so will become apparent at the very end of the film. Perhaps you will guess the truth before the end, and the twist will not come as a surprise. I, however, remained clueless and the final few minutes were very emotional for me the first time I saw it. Oddly, and I don't admit this easily, every time that I have watched the movie since that first time (it must be 20 times now), or seen the clip of the final few minutes on the internet, I have cried! Not huge sobs, but I seem to be totally powerless to stop a tear appearing and falling out of my eyes! Maybe I am just a big softie. I guess that I am, but I am also sure that something about the last moments of the film resounds deep within me. A recollection, or a memory. Perhaps it has more to do with need.
This first clip is actually a medley made by a user on YouTube which I feel gives one a good 'taste' of the characters and the situations within which they find themselves. It is set to the song 'The Passenger' by Iggy Pop.
In a film that is littered with classic scenes it is extremely difficult to choose any one scene which shines the brightest, or which has had the biggest impact upon me. Therefore I have not attempted to do that!
Nevertheless, this second clip is quite a classic and takes place during one of the central characters many attempts to find a mode of transport that will successfully take him back home to his family for Thanksgiving. Or at least move him one step closer to his ultimate goal, his family and home. In this scene Del has arranged for the the son of a hotel owner that he knows (he sold some shower curtain rings to him!), to drive them to the train station at Withita, Kansas.
However, as they soon find out, all is not well or as it should be with the son in question!
I was going to include the final scene from the movie, which as I have already mentioned is very heartwarming, but also incredibly moving and tear inducing. However, if I were to do that the 'twist' at the end would be spoilt and should you ever watch the film, it would remove a little of its magic.
Anyway, enjoy!
Please watch this movie if you are in need of a smile or two! It NEVER fails!
No comments:
Post a Comment