MovieChat Forums > Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) Discussion > Too American

Too American

posted 5 years ago by Heisenberg (6730)
80 replies | jump to latest

I remember watching this as a kid. I was expecting something funny, full of laughs and gags. I was sorely disappointed: the movie is an ok comedy, nothing special, not that funny and quite sappy in its message.
I don't know why it's such a cult classic in America.
But I'm coming to the conclusion that I completely missed the spirit of that holiday: travel difficulties, need to be with your family etc. which speaks true in USA, so that's why it's considered a minor classic for thanksgiving.

But it's quite cryptic anywhere else, making its message obscure because of this.
It's too American to be fully appreciated anywhere else.
By contrast, Trading Places is a classic everywhere.

[–] Aries (842) 4 years ago

I'm in NZ and I love this flick.

Yeah, it's very American. So what? It's a Hollywood production set in the US with American actors, back in a great time when all the leftist assholes in Hollywood and elsewhere weren't hating on America and American values simply because it's a fad and the MSM told them to do so.

The Thanksgiving part of the plot is merely a backdrop that gives the 2 main characters the motivation to do all the things they do, plus it gives you a great excuse to re-watch this feel good movie at that time of the year every year. Nothing wrong with that.

[–] TimMC (9143) 4 years ago

Those damn Americans with their American ways and American foods and oh piddly poo.

[–] Heisenberg (6730) 4 years ago

Who said anything against Americans?

[–] Bossdog677 (1568) 3 years ago

Trading Places sucks

[–] Heisenberg (6730) 3 years ago

One of the best comedies ever.

[–] Bossdog677 (1568) 3 years ago

Your problem Heisenberg is that you are a rabid racist. You love Trading Places because "Look its a black guy cheating at Orange Juice stocks thats what White Americans do derrrpp i get it" and you harbor resentment for Thanksgiving because thats what White Americans do. The American Revolution is over bro get over it. I mean Monty Python Holy Grail was good so at least you gave us something.

[–] Heisenberg (6730) 3 years ago

This reply is insulting from too many different angles to comment.

[–] BillySlater (4241) 3 years ago

No his problem is that he thinks his pretentious opinion is valid and that his generalisations are correct. I am not American, and loved the movie. And this movie is more a buddy comedy that barely has anything to do with Thanksgiving except for being Neal´s motivation for getting home.

[–] jewoogle (2269) 3 years ago

shutup u dirty commie!!!

[–] Heisenberg (6730) 3 years ago

I am as commie as John Rambo.