Planes, Trains and Automobiles - R
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that the consistent use of profanity in PLANES, TRAINS and AUTOMOBILES may override its many humorous scenes, and as such, may not be appropriate for preteens and younger kids. (In one scene that adults may find funny, an irate Steve Martin employs the 'f' word repeatedly while arguing with a rental car agent; in another, Candy jokes about picking up pick-up sticks with his "butt cheeks.") At the same time, the film does impart a few moral lessons, such as the value of family and not judging a character by his first impression. Teens should be fine watching this film, but they should probably do so with an adult.
If your older children do watch the film, ask them if a movie can still be funny without the use of foul language. You may also ask them if one can always a judge a person by his appearance or first impression, and if there are instances where it takes time to get to know a person better. Teens may also weigh in on a discussion about the value of family life: how does it affect a family when a parent works long hours and travels extensively for business?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Lori Silberman Brauner
Neal Page and Nell Griffith couldn't be more unlikely traveling partners, let alone friends. Neal, a wearied executive from the Chicago suburbs who has sat in on one too many business meetings, is desperate to come home to his wife and children for Thanksgiving dinner after his plane is indefinitely laid over in Wichita, Kansas. Played by Steve Martin, Neal repeatedly meets up with goofy shower-ring salesman John Candy in a series of coincidental encounters, beginning with Nell's unwittingly stealing Neal's New York City cab. Throughout their journey, they spar with Midwestern hicks, motel clerks, a rental car agent, and law enforcement figures, traveling not only by plane, train, and automobile, but by bus and even foot as well.
There are some truly hilarious scenes in this film, but they aren't very appropriate for children -- at least younger ones. In one scene, the two men are forced to share a bed in a sleazy motel and Nell unconsciously cuddles with Neal in his sleep. When they wake up, horrified, Neal asks Nell where one of his hands is. He replies, "Between two pillows." Neal exclaims, "Those aren't pillows!"
Neal's love-hate relationship with Nell does not always serve as an appropriate role model, as he repeatedly tells off Nell and berates his oddball behavior. Yet, even Neal realizes his bad behavior and regrets it on several occasions, and by the end of the film, the two realize that together they've accomplished more than they could separately.
To that end, the theme of acceptance echoes Hughes' other popular films for teens, such as Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club, which high school kids who watch this film may also enjoy viewing.
Overall, teens would get a chuckle from the film's many escapades, and their parents would probably enjoy viewing it with them -- with the understanding that the humor is far from clean.
Rate It!
| Content | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS | adults | kids | ||
Sexual ContentScantily-clad girl pinups inside taxicab, couple heavily making out and jokes about body parts. |
 |
 |
||
ViolenceNone (aside from car crashes). |
|
|
||
LanguageLots of strong language. |
 |
|
||
Message |
|
|
||
Social Behavior |
 |
|
||
Commercialism |
 |
|
||
Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco |
|
|
||
