Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) - Still

Jonathan C. Legat, Tricia Legat, and Michael Noens of the Imbibe Cinema podcast discuss the movie Planes, Trains, and Automobiles while imbibing cocktails inspired by the film’s title. They reminisce about the movie’s plot and iconic scenes, debate the feasibility of the characters’ travel timeline, and highlight the film’s 1980’s nostalgia through its music and payphone scenes.

The hosts express their amusement at the film’s language, noting its abundance of swear words, and compare its level of vulgarity to other classic comedies. They also discuss the film’s relatability, particularly the scene where Steve Martin’s character explodes at a car rental agent, and reflect on their own experiences with travel and customer service.

The conversation shifts to the film’s deeper themes, such as Steve Martin’s character’s emotional journey and anger issues, and the unlikely bond formed between the two main characters. They also touch upon the film’s portrayal of family relationships and the idealized image of the wife and children.

The hosts share their own experiences with travel and unexpected bonding, recounting road trips and family vacations. They also discuss the film’s connection to other movies and actors, including a mention of Ryan Reynolds’ admiration for John Candy.

The podcast concludes with a segment called “poking the bear,” where the hosts read and react to negative reviews of the film. They express their amusement at the critics’ opinions and defend the film’s merits.

Finally, the podcast crew thank their listeners for their support and invite them to tune in to future episodes.