Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Still Holds Up (Mostly)

Okay, so I just rewatched Planes, Trains and Automobiles and man, what a ride. I'm all about pacing in films, and this one mostly nails it. The way John Hughes ratchets up the tension and frustration for Neal Page (Steve Martin at his comedic peak, IMO) is chef's kiss. Every delay, every missed connection, every interaction with Del Griffith (Candy, RIP)... it just builds and builds. He really captures the agony of travel, and it's still relatable as hell even with all the technological advances we've made since '87. I like how the frustration is broken up with genuine moments of comedy. The car rental scene? Still gets me every time. 'You're going the wrong way!' Gold. Actual gold. But, and there's always a but, right? There are definitely moments where the humor feels a little dated, ya know? Like some of the slapstick felt kinda... forced? And maybe stretched a little too long. I'm thinking especially about the whole burned car situation. I get it, things are going wrong, but that bit felt like it lost a little steam. Still, the core of the movie, the dynamic between Neal and Del, is what sells it. Their complete opposites clashing is hilarious, but it's the slow reveal of Del's loneliness and Neil accepting him that really makes the movie. Speaking of which, the ending... whoa. Powerful stuff. I think where the movie excels is in its editing, specifically, where it chooses to linger and where it decides to cut away. It's a movie that knows what it wants to accomplish. It has a point to make, and it does so with clear and concise writing and great editing. Overall, it's a classic for a reason. It's not perfect, but the heartwarming story and insane comedic performances more than make up for any minor imperfections. Definitely worth revisiting, especially around Thanksgiving.