As Thanksgiving approaches I think that this movie is wholly appropriate. A hilarious comedy directed by John Hughes that pairs John Candy and Steve Martin on a cross country adventure to race home from NY to Chicago for the Thanksgiving holiday. Bad weather and misfortune pair a successful advertising executive Neal Page (Martin) with a bumbling traveling salesman Del Griffith (Candy); who end up on a two day journey that sees them taking every sort of transportation they can find, with limited success.
In the film the viewer identifies with Neal, a hard working family man who is desperately trying to get home for the thanksgiving holiday. His growing frustration is completely understandable and thus being, the audience relates…even when he loses his cool in a litany of profanity that may improve his mood but does nothing for his situation. At this point, Del who has up until now been a proverbial thorn in his side, shows up with wheels to rescue him. His gratitude is genuine and he starts to see Del less as a pest. Unfortunately Del is not the best driver and their trip takes another unexpected turn, which makes Neal furious with him.
When his anger dies down, he feels sorry for Del and offers an olive branch. The pair get to know each other a little better and Neal is amazed at how Del always maintains a positive outlook on things. as annoying as this quality has been to him. Because of the miracle spirit of Thanksgiving, he finally sees that there is something he can learn from his misunderstood travel companion. This is the underlying theme of the whole movie, being thankful for the blessings that you do have, no matter how insignificant they seem to others. When the two finally part in Chicago, Neal realizes the value of his unprecedented friend and invites him to Thanksgiving dinner with his family.
Truly a great Thanksgiving classic but there other holidays and other feel good films too.
