This is one of the very first R rated movies I ever saw. My Grandma got it for me for my 15th birthday. We both loved it, and I have seen it multiple times-over 6 times entirely. This is a funny movie and it has a lot of heart-especially at the end. The movie is very popular with lines like: "Those aren't pillows!" and "You're going the wrong way!" There are many comedic moments throughout and as much as I want to talk about them it would be best for you to experience them yourself. This is one of the best movies ever! it's also set at Thanksgiving-so that's a great time to see it. Oh, and I mentioned that it is rated R. Any preteen can see it. There is one comedic scene in which the F word is used repeatedly and if you ask me, it's the best movie scene in cinematic history! I was shocked at the random tirade of profanity the first time, but I re watched the scene later that night and laughed. It's PG-13 without it but if it was taken out it wouldn't be the same. TV edits kill it too.This is a classic that I highly suggest seeing-it's a must see if you ask me!Note: Roger Ebert highly acclaimed this too-he gave it 3.5/4 stars at first and he gave it a full 4 13 years later-calling it a "great movie!"

I was like 13 when this film came out...and it still holds up! As dated as it is with it's soundtrack, it is still very much relevant. I watch this movie every year as a tradition. The airport scene with Mrs. Pool still has me rolling. RIP John Candy, he was my favorite comedian. Candy and Martin were can't miss back then!

PTAA is undoubtedly a Holiday Classic in every sense of the phrase. Maybe not as wonderful as "It's a WOnderful Life", but Steve Martin and John Candy really make the most out of this. Of course, this is a Thanksgiving movie and not a Christmas movie, but like the two Holidays, they kind of go hand-in-hand.Written by the late, great John Hughes, PTAA isn't necessarily AS well-written or dialog-driven as his other work, but the film does take full advantage of the physical comedy of Martin and the sincerity and heart of Candy. It IS still well-written, don't get me wrong, just not as great as some other Hughes works in this aspect.It's a road-trip movie. The film jumps from transportation medium to transportation medium, in order of the title.Throughout the film, the two men find a better understanding of the Holiday Season and all that comes with it. Martin is shown/reminded what IS the most important part of his life, and given in Candy, everything that he takes for granted. There are many classic moments in the film. The Braidwood Inn provides 3 or 4 of them. Martin's "F-Bomb" rampage later in the film is another high-point.The film isn't perfect. I know no film is, but PTAA, imo, fails to capitalize on the ending by cutting it short. Just a little more family interaction at the end would have gone a long way. Maybe even some more/explained help for Del. We assume that this is what happened, but the serious emotion of the film takes place in a very small window, and is subsequently a tad understated. Just a little dialog like "Del's gonna stay a while", or a short sitting at the Thanksgiving table would have been a nice addition to the film.Steve Martin really shows his range in this film.I highly recommend Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, and not just during the holiday season. Soft-8 for me. On the Hughes Hierarchy it's a touch better than say Uncle Buck, but not the masterpiece of a Sixteen Candles or Breakfast Club.

Neal Page (played by Steve Martin) is in New York on a business trip and is flying back to his family in Chicago that night. It is two days to Thanks Giving and he wants to be at home with his family on it. Just getting to the airport is an ordeal, as the cabs are busy. His flight is then delayed. When his flight eventually takes off it is rerouted to Wichita, Kansas, due to Chicago being snowed in. By now Page is teamed up with Del Griffith (John Candy), an obnoxious salesman. Page detests Giffith but the man has his uses, especially knowledge of hotels and transport. Now the adventure to get back to Chicago begins.Fun movie from writer-director John Hughes. One rollicking adventure from start to finish. However, not quite as funny as I was expecting - the humour is more about the predicaments the two characters end up in, rather than anything else, and these get predicable and lame after a while.Great, emotional ending though.