My Dogs are barking!

I never actually appreciated this film until I was a teenager. I can't remember why but I didn't hold it in high regard until I was about 14 when I watched the most ancient of VHS's.

Its Thanksgiving and Neal Page (Steve Martin) an uptight, judgemental advertising exec needs to get home cross country to his family. He manages to hit a low on luck and every attempt to get home is foiled. The situation is made even worse when he keeps running into his binary opposite, Del Griffith (John Candy). A slobbish, blabber mouth salesman who can't do anything to stay in Neal's good books.

"I can no longer look at John Candy without imagining him as the Devil." is a common quote I hear after watching this film with a new or old viewer. Probably the most iconic scene of the film. After a few mishaps, Neal & Del are driving on the wrong side of the road. Cut to the chase, they come face to face with two juggernauts. Barely scrapping between the two hulks of engineering, the two unfortunate souls scream for their lives and spend a brief frame as a pair of wailing skeletons. As Neal turns to his left to see Del, donned in full Devil geddup, driving the doomed vehicle and laughing to Holy Hell. Comedy Class.

I've been on a lot of cross country roadtrips but none of them as hillarious as this. The film does make you think though, about the lengths we go to to be with the ones we love and that no matter what or who gets in your way you shouldn't give up. The relationship between Neal and Del is also a point of interest. They are completely wrong for each other. They shouldn't even be in the same places but fate just keeps magnetising them back to the woeful circumstances that they face throughout their trip.

The sorrowful revelation about Del's past really does open a crater in your chest. A man who seems to be at the top of his game, overly joyed, friendly and helpful harbours a pain that only few people at his age have to suffer. His influence and good-spirits spills over onto Neal which leads to the resolution between the two.

Absolutely littered with cameos, fun and frolics. Anyone born or grown up in the 80s should see this film!!

9/10