Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Planes, Trains and Automobiles was promoted as teen movie guru John Hughes' first "adult" comedy, but the film maintains the same warm-hearted, absurdist humor that made his high-school fare so enjoyable. Hughes is adept at capturing the ridiculousness of everyday life and the often surreal nature of interpersonal contact. As with 1984's Sixteen Candles, the film is about the fight for peace and sanity in a world designed to thwart people; the locker rooms and detention halls have just been replaced with cheerily evil airport ticket agents and schizophrenic hotel showers. Steve Martin is perfectly cast as the frustrated, screaming Everyman, and John Candy gives one of his most endearing performances as his incorrigible but ultimately endearing traveling companion. ~ Brendon Hanley, All Movie Guide