80's Movie Review: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Over a five year period, John Hughes wrote and/or directed such iconic teenage comedies as The Breakfast Club, Weird Science, Pretty in Pink, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Since Sixteen Candles was released in 1984, ALL teenage movies have been based around the "John Hughes" blueprint. However, nobody else quite got it right. During that time John Hughes also was the writer of all three National Lampoon Vacation movies, Mr. Mom and Uncle Buck. It is rare to be so prolific and consistent; even more so with comedy.

Unfortunately, the genius of John Hughes only lasted so long. At the end of 1980's he began releasing unpolished turds like Curly Sue, Dutch. and Michael Jackson's favorite movie Home Alone. He also showed the world that he REALLY likes dogs by writing 101 Dalmatians, and several Beethoven movies. But before he began his downward spiral he wrote and directed his last, and best, comedy -- Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.

This movie was not as popular as the others yet it stars John Candy at Steve Martin at the peak of their comedic power. The movie was simply not marketed right. Steve Martin plays a high level executive and John Candy is a bumbling buffoon who sells shower curtain rings. The plot revolves around both of them getting from New York to Chicago for Thanksgiving. They are complete strangers and through a series of shenanigans, both end up needing each others help to complete their quest to eat turkey and cranberry sauce. Throughout their journey are some of the funniest scenes captured on film and the best of both comedians career.

The scene that stands out for me as showing the difference between today's comedies - and current movies in general - is one that involves Steve Martin at an airport rental car agency. After going through countless hurdles to get back to Chicago, Martin shows up to pick up his reserved car. They give him keys, drop him of to a car that doesn't exist, and he has to walk back several miles through the snow to get back to the airport. When he finally gets back to the rental car counter, he unleashes a rant which every other word is an F-bomb for about two minutes. This scene is the only reason the movie is rated R.

Why would this scene not work today? Because every other word today in movies is F---. I am the last person to be offended by F--- and even run a humor website called "Are You F---ing Kidding Me?" (www.rufkm.net). What DOES offend me about current movies is the overuse of F--- simply shows a lack of creativity. Also, the overuse simply negates the power of the word, makes the character sound stupid, and your mind starts skipping over it like when you here "um" or "er". Are there no other words the writers can choose to express emotion?

Rent Planes, Trains, and Automobiles immediately....if not sooner. It's a John Hughes classic that is often overlooked as a great 1980's comedy. In addition, as a test, watch Superbad or other similar modern comedy and then watch Sixteen Candles to see the overall difference in quality.