Planes, Trains & Automobiles

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Planes, Trains & Automobiles ★★½ 1987 (R)

One-joke Hughes comedy saved by Martin and Candy. Straitlaced businessman Neal Page (played straight by Martin) on the way home for Thanksgiving meets up with a oafish, bad-luck-ridden boor Del Griffith (Candy) who turns his efforts to get home upside down. Martin and Candy both turn in fine performances, and effectively straddle a thin line between true pathos and hilarious buffoonery. Bacon and McClurg, both Hughes alumni, have small but funny roles. 93m/C VHS, DVD . Steve Martin, John Candy, Edie McClurg, Kevin Bacon, Michael McKean, William Windom, Laila Robins, Martin Ferrero, Charles Tyner, Dylan Baker, Ben Stein, Lyman Ward; D: John Hughes; W: John Hughes; C: Don Peterman; M: Ira Newborn.