Zen and the Art of Planes, Trains and Automobiles

As I've mentioned here, for the most part my dad and I have the same movie taste. However, for years he'd been trying to get me to watch the Thanksgiving movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles and I refused. The movie seemed anxiety-producing and completely unappealing. A stressed out Steve Martin trying to get home for the holidays and running into roadblock after roadblock? An annoying John Candy helping/hindering Martin's character, engaging in gross habits along the way? No, thank you. Show me the romcoms instead.

But this year I decided to surrender, go with the flow and watch the classic movie. It turns out, Planes, Trains and Automobiles is incredibly funny. We watched on Thanksgiving and it was apropos and super enjoyable. We laughed nonstop, my dad the giggliest. My favorite part was a quote by John Candy's character about going with the flow: "Like a twig on the shoulders of a mighty stream." Sometimes you have to ride the wave. The two leading men in the movie got to their destination at the same time, one much more agitated along the way. I love a reminder to accept what is happening in the here and now. It makes for a much more zen ride. The film also had a surprise poignant ending. Overall, I'm quite happy I went with the flow and watched the movie. Do yourself (or your loved ones) a favor and check it out this holiday season.

AES