In a screwball comedy film, you can't get much better than the genius of a Steve Martin and John Candy combo. This comic duo plays traveling businessmen who accidentally bump into each other during a crazy trip home for the holidays. Steve Martin plays Neal Page - a smug, successful businessman with a wife and three kids who he leaves alone most of the time in their big, suburban house in Chicago while he works too much on the road. John Candy plays Del Griffith, a shower curtain ring salesman who plays the clown on the outside but we know that inside, he is in some kind of pain. He talks too much, is sloppy and carries this giant trunk everywhere he goes; but there is something warm and kind about him; even though he is obnoxious, we cannot help but like him. The two are an unlikely pair; but their paths cross over and over again when Neal Page is trying to get home to his family for Thanksgiving. And just like the characters in this movie, we are in for the ride of our lives!
As you might guess, everything goes wrong for these two. From Del stealing a cab from Neal - and then Neal being bumped from first class on the plane only to be seated next to blabbermouth Del - to further flight delays, and unsuccessful car rentals - this Laurel and Hardy pair eventually end up on the road together and ultimately in the same hotel room...and the same bed. This hotel scene is absolutely sidesplitting.
In another classic scene in which Neal (Martin) tries to get a rental car at the airport, he is so tired and angry, he totally abuses the woman at the car-rental counter. In this scene, the word "f***ing" is uttered more times than you can count and it is so hilarious - your ribs will hurt from laughing.
This movie has some of the funniest scenes in comedy history and if you don't laugh until you cry, there is something seriously wonky with your sense of humor. "You're going the wrong way!" is a line that will forever be associated with this film and if you have not ever seen it, please, please put it on your list.
In the midst of the flawlessly funny exchanges between Martin and Candy, there are some very touching moments in this film that remind us what the holidays are all about: family and friendship; peace, love and goodwill toward others. This movie manages to get that message across loud and clear even though you are laughing your ass off through most of it.
Boy, do I miss John Candy so much. Thank Goodness his movies live on so we can get a glimpse of this brilliantly funny man in action again and again.
As you might guess, everything goes wrong for these two. From Del stealing a cab from Neal - and then Neal being bumped from first class on the plane only to be seated next to blabbermouth Del - to further flight delays, and unsuccessful car rentals - this Laurel and Hardy pair eventually end up on the road together and ultimately in the same hotel room...and the same bed. This hotel scene is absolutely sidesplitting.
In another classic scene in which Neal (Martin) tries to get a rental car at the airport, he is so tired and angry, he totally abuses the woman at the car-rental counter. In this scene, the word "f***ing" is uttered more times than you can count and it is so hilarious - your ribs will hurt from laughing.
This movie has some of the funniest scenes in comedy history and if you don't laugh until you cry, there is something seriously wonky with your sense of humor. "You're going the wrong way!" is a line that will forever be associated with this film and if you have not ever seen it, please, please put it on your list.
In the midst of the flawlessly funny exchanges between Martin and Candy, there are some very touching moments in this film that remind us what the holidays are all about: family and friendship; peace, love and goodwill toward others. This movie manages to get that message across loud and clear even though you are laughing your ass off through most of it.
Boy, do I miss John Candy so much. Thank Goodness his movies live on so we can get a glimpse of this brilliantly funny man in action again and again.