Planes, Trains and Automobiles [Those Aren't Pillows Edition]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

Were it not for its profanity-laden opening scenes, John Hughes' Planes, Trains and Automobiles might have been suitable family entertainment: certainly it's heaps less violent and mean-spirited than Hughes' Home Alone. En route to Chicago to spend Thanksgiving with his family, easily annoyed businessman Neal Page (Steve Martin) finds his first-class plane ticket has been demoted to coach, and he must share his flight with obnoxious salesman Del Griffith (John Candy). A sudden snowstorm in Chicago forces the plane to land in Wichita. Unable to find a room in any of the four-star hotels, Neal is compelled to accept Del's invitation to share his accommodations in a cheapo-sleazo motel. Driven to distraction by Del's annoying personal habits, the ungrateful Neal lets forth with a stream of verbal abuse. That's when Del delivers the anticipated (but always welcome) "I don't judge, why should you?"-type speech so common to John Hughes flicks. The shamefaced Neal tries to make up to Del, but there's a bumpy time ahead as the mismatched pair make their way back to Chicago, first in a balky train, then by way of a refrigerator truck. We know from the outset that the oil-and-water Neal and Del will be bosom companions by the end of Planes, Trains and Automobiles, but it's still a fun ride. The best bit: a half-asleep Del thinking that he's got his hand tucked between two pillows -- until his bedmate, Neal, bellows "Those aren't pillows!" ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 1
• Audio: Dolby Digital Stereo
• Screen: Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
• Features:
  • cc
  • Getting There is Half the Fun: The Story of Planes, Trains and Automobiles
  • John Hughes for Adults
  • A Tribute to John Candy
  • Deleted Scene - "Airplane Food"

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Steve Martin - Neal Page
       John Candy - Del Griffith
       Laila Robins - Susan Page
       Michael McKean - State Trooper
       Kevin Bacon - Taxi racer
       Dylan Baker - Owen
       Carol Bruce - Joy Page
       Olivia Burnette - Marti
       Diana Douglas - Peg
       Martin Ferrero - Motel Clerk
       Richard Herd - Walt
       Edie McClurg - Car Rental Agent
       George Petrie - Martin Page
       Gary Riley - Motel Thief
       Charles Tyner - Gus
       Ben Stein - Wichita Airport Rep

• Director:

  John Hughes

• Producer:

  John Hughes, Neil Machlis, Michael Chinich

• Screenwriter:

  John Hughes

• Composer (Music Score):

  Ira Newborn

• Editor:

  Adam Bernardi, Paul Hirsch

• Production Designer:

  John W. Corso

• Art Director:

  Harold Michelson

• Associate Producer:

  Bill Brown

• Executive Producer:

  Neil Machlis, Michael Chinich

• Set Designer:

  Jane Bogart, Louis Mann, Linda Spheeris

• Costume Designer:

  April Ferry

• Sound/Sound Designer:

  James R. Alexander

• First Assistant Director:

  Arthur Anderson, Mark A. Radcliffe

• Casting:

  Jane Jenkins, Janet Hirshenson

REVIEW:

• 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, Rovi