Planes Trains and Automobiles – An Immigrants Story of Thanksgiving
Written by Dr Nick on November 24, 2022
Iconic Scene “the Speedometer melted”
Credit USA Today https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2022/11/24/steve-martin-plane-trains-and-automobiles/10717692002/
Each and every year, I watch the movie Planes Trains and Automobiles. I don’t remember exactly when I first saw the movie but based on the release date of 25 November 1987 I probably saw this in a cinema in London. At the time I was living and working in London. I did not follow the main thread of this movie. Why were two people so desperate to get back to their homes for some unheard-of holiday “Thanksgiving”? But at the time it was not important to the humour and jokes in the movie.
It was and still is a laugh-out-loud movie that features in my Top 5 movies of all time. I love comedy and always have. Laughter has always been the best medicine in my opinion. At the time I considered myself well-traveled. I was on a plane by the age of 3 months old but this was a different kind of travel. Planes were not used for commuting and car rental was a rarity but that did not spoil the jokes for me but I was certainly missing some of the elements.
So much so the first year we were living in the US I had no idea what everyone was talking about at work. I heard the conversation but not fully comprehending the holiday. So much so that on Thursday morning, I was driving to work as I usually did, down the Merrit Parkway to the Hutch to the Cross County and over the free “bump bump” bridge passing the then Yankees Stadium. It was a super quick trip and I was surprised – no traffic. I got in to work at Mount Sinai only to discover it was a holiday and while there were some people around the majority of staff were off. The drive back home was equally fast! I probably managed that round trip in less time than some of my single trips on Friday afternoon.
Fast forward to the present day and I’ve spent 20 years as a road warrior which at its peak had me on the road 90% of the time and I was living the experiences featured in the movie. With a few exceptions, I have had most of the events that befall the two main characters personally. Some by proxy, through friends – the single room and single bed happened to a very dear friend of mine, and in her case, it was not just two people but 3, her and two other gentlemen that were struggling to find a place to sleep after getting bumped off their flight.
I think it was around this time I made the full connection of the movie with the Holiday “Thanksgiving” – for those outside of the US a universal holiday that crosses cultural and religious barriers allowing most to participate and enjoy. The US version goes back to English traditions and the Reformation but the modern version is more about giving thanks for all of the things we have and being grateful. It includes gathering family and friends.
I think the closest we came to this was our family Christmas Holiday which was an annual gathering for our family. We had our traditions driven by the elements of that holiday and bring back some good memories. But for me Thanksgiving supersedes this and has become hands down my favorite time off every year.
It’s simple – being thankful for all the things we have and gathering with family and friends. You can add food and drinks but it is not essential. It is about gathering being happy and enjoying the social company – the fundamental lifeblood of who we are as humans and a driver of general satisfaction in life imho.
The scene in the hotel room captures my spirit animal completely – I try to be Del Griffiths each and every day
You want to hurt me?
Go ahead if it makes you feel better.
I’m an easy target.
Yeah, you’re right.
I talk too much.
I also listen too much.
I could be a cold-hearted cynic like you, but I don’t like to hurt people’s feelings.
Well, you think what you want about me.
I’m not changing.
I like me. My wife likes me. My customers like me.
‘Cause I’m the real article.
What you see is what you get.
Wishing everyone a very peaceful, happy, and family-filled Thanksgiving. Here’s my incremental suggestion
Try to channel your inner Del Griffiths
