Planes, Trains & Automobiles

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

Year: 1987

Runtime: 93 min

Language: English

Director: John Hughes

Comedy

Neal Page’s Thanksgiving plans are thrown into disarray by a severe snowstorm, forcing him to embark on a chaotic cross-country journey. He finds himself reluctantly paired with Del Griffith, an overly friendly shower ring salesman, as they encounter a series of travel mishaps and increasingly absurd situations. Neal struggles to maintain his composure while dealing with Del’s relentless chatter and the frustrations of delayed flights, missed trains, and rental car troubles, ultimately learning valuable lessons about patience and human connection.

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Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

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In the frantic rush of a snow‑bound holiday season, a tightly wound advertising executive is determined to make it home for Thanksgiving. Neal Page has his itinerary mapped out down to the minute, his mind already on the warm kitchen of his Chicago apartment and the family gathering waiting for him. The relentless New York rush hour, a delayed flight, and an unexpected blizzard turn his carefully plotted journey into a chaotic scramble, setting the stage for a comedy of errors that feels both familiar and wildly unpredictable.

Enter an unusually chatty salesman who seems to have a knack for appearing at the worst possible moment. Del Griffith is a well‑meaning, overly friendly shower‑curtain‑ring vendor whose relentless optimism and talkative nature clash spectacularly with Neal’s meticulous, control‑obsessed demeanor. Their personalities sit on opposite ends of the spectrum—one a buttoned‑up professional, the other a free‑spirited wanderer—yet the circumstances force them into an uneasy partnership that drives the film’s humor and heart.

As they navigate a series of misadventures—missed connections, cramped transport, and the ever‑present threat of the holiday storm—their interactions reveal a deeper, quieter commentary on patience, empathy, and the unlikely bonds that form when strangers are thrust together. The movie blends sharp, observational comedy with a warm, almost nostalgic tone, inviting viewers to watch two mismatched travelers discover, amidst the absurdity, a shared humanity that makes the chaotic road home feel oddly comforting.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 13:39

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Planes, Trains & Automobiles

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