There isn’t much of a bloodthirsty argument over which John Sweet film is the best. Sooner or later, it’s Thanksgiving time and we’re riveted when again watching him and Steve Martin verbally choke each other out. In “Aircrafts, Trains, and Automobiles,” Candy is Del Griffith, a kind and irritatingly daffy fellow who helps the uptight Neal Page (Martin) get home for the holidays.
The world has proceeded since the analog days of phone booths and manually flagging down taxis. Still, “Airplanes, Trains, and Autos” is as fresh as your aunt’s mouth after her second bottle of inexpensive white wine. Beneath the snapped insults is a love for our starring characters and mankind. Neal’s adventure with Del is a pertinent and classic story. Del is our tip to be kind to each other, that it’s effort, which we’re all carrying our distinct discomforts. Martin is magnificent here, but it’s Sweet’s spotlight. His lasting message is that we can and should be better. But– as importantly– it’s fine to laugh when things get tough. In some cases, it’s downright necessary. Thankfully, we have actually Candy’s commemorated work to advise us of that.