I know this might be an unpopular opinion, but Planes Trains and Automobiles isn't as great as I remember. It's not a bad movie, but I could edit out 50% of the movie and it would flow much better. Its just so slow and has a ton of unnecessary time devoted to scenes, which is common in the pre-digital era of filmmaking.
It was a fine movie, but it could have been a great 45 minute short film.
@natharari exactly. If there were more antics thrown in these dull moments, maybe something to better explain Steve's charaters lack of compassion towards strangers, would have gone a long way to pick up the pace. The emotional connection depends heavily on John Candys character, which I feel gets most of the writing focus for charater development.
@DanIsWriting I agree completely. I wouldn't want more dramatic moments, however - just more comedy for the slow times.
@natharari agreed. I actually thing there was a perfect amount of drama, which I think provides the emotional connection everyone like about the movie. It was unexpectedly dark at times and made you see Joh Candys character as a real living person with a lot of flaws. More antics would have balanced it better as a comedy and punched up the speed.
@DanIsWriting I appreciate your take, though I can't be quick to agree.
@SECRET_ASIAN_MAN to be clear, I still think it was great, but there were slow moments that could have used more work.
Its easy to say this in the digital age. Editing can be done in real time without physically cutting and taping strips of physical film, and cameras now aren't bound with reels of $100 bills spilling out every time you pull the trigger.
@DanIsWriting an interesting proposition…let’s rewrite it for the modern age.
@SECRET_ASIAN_MAN I think they already made that movie; Due Date, with Zack Galifianakis and Robert Downey Jr.
PTaA is kindof the quintessential opposite frienemy becomes best friends road trip movie.
@DanIsWriting I actually agree with you. I like the movie a lot and some scenes are really hilarious and fantastic, but a lot of it feels drawn out to me as well in between those moments.