Planes, Trains & Automobiles - Ending (1987)

© Paramount Pictures (1987)
Director: John Hughes
Writer: John Hughes
Stars: Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins, Kevin Bacon

[kwith]

When John Candy delivers the line "Marie's been dead for 8 years" that just hits HARD.

[BostonKid]

No matter how hard life can be, this movie taught us the meaning of kindness and friendship.

[JTMoney]

I have seen this ending 70x and still break down in tears every single time! John Candy was a special human being and it came out in the roles he played!

[SurferKenTV]

John Candy deserved an Oscar nomination for this role

[keepersleeker]

The scene at 5:10 while they are walking down the road gets me every time. That crate represents the heaviness that Del feels from his life. 8 years of sadness, pain, loneliness, loss....all in that crate that he's been toting around with him for all these years. Notice how easy it is for both of them to carry it walking down the street. The load doesn't weigh Niel down at all. It's amazing what friendship and support can do for someone. He ain't heavy. He's my

[tristezzalamentoluciano]

"I haven't been home in years"
This is reality for many people.

[ericschilling]

Del's loneliness was palatable when he said he had no home and his wife has been dead for eight years. It hits hard, and if you don't feel anything in that moment then you're not human.

[garageshopminnesota]

I always like to think that Neal helped Del get a sales position at his company. Neal and his wife also let Del stay at their house until he gets back on his feet a bit. Eventually Del meets a woman in the sales division, finds happiness, remarries, and both couples remain life long friends.

[aaronmoran]

It is said that John Candy was the only person to die in Hollywood without any enemies, how can you not love the guy RIP

[bdarks]

John Candy's expression in the final seconds is nothing short of masterful acting. You can feel how watching Neil and Mrs. Page embrace is so incredibly hard to witness at first. You can feel the weight of Del's grief, wanting so badly to share such a moment with his Marie just one more time. Then you see him push the grief aside, heavy as it must be, and summon genuine happiness for his friend. And the camera freezes on that image of selfless joy as the screen fades to black. Just world class acting and direction.

P.S. - In my mind, I've always loved to believe that Neil was able to swing a Jr. Sales Executive position at his advertising firm, and Del was wildly successful thanks to his natural people skills. And maybe, just maybe, he found a certain someone to share that success with.

[rayman]

John Candy did not deserve to leave this world so early. This guy was and still is a legend!

[morganh]

I worked on the road with a good friend who lost his wife. He basically worked and lived out of hotel rooms like Del. His name was Andy. He passed away not too long ago and this scene reminded me of some of the same experiences I has with Andy. Finding out about his wife and how he had no where to go. I made sure we crewed up together on projects so he wasn't alone. This movie teaches you so much.

[MrBam]

John Candy wasn't just a comedy actor. He was - in my opinion - a legitimately great actor. Those micro expressions just hit you like a sledgehammer. I mean Steve Martin is also great in this film, but John Candy absolutely bosses it and is the epicentre of the emotional impact of this film. He's what makes this one of my favourite movies of all time.

[claymathewselevator]

Steve Martin and John Candy walking together will never not give me chills

[missymissymiss]

The way Candy clutches his hat and his expression at the last shot is heartbreaking. What an actor!

[metaknight]

Steve Martin, John Candy and John Hughes were robbed of Oscars is this movie.

[PeowPeowPeowLasers]

In an alternate universe John Candy is still alive, bringing love and happiness to all who watch his art. We miss you John.

[adambednarek]

I cried in 1987 when it came out and am still crying now. This ending rips your heart out, beats it to a pulp and then gives it CPR. In all my years I have never seen a more human story.

[Lloyd]

I saw this at the cinema...talk about a 'rollercoaster of emotion' just when I was done laughing, that scene where Del says his wife died 8 years ago hit me like a hammer, and I sobbed...the lights went up and so many grown men had their heads in their hands. I still weep every time I watch it now. Amazing writing and direction, what a film
👍🏾

[PowerShellWizard]

This is how you make a film. At 2:11, a sigh of relief. He can't believe his ordeal is finally over and he can distance himself. At 3:10, he starts to reflect until he eventually comes to realize what's going on at 3:47. Despite all feelings of resentment, exhaustion, missing his family, and looking to Thanksgiving he cannot escape his own humanity. He must do the right thing. At 4:02 you see the 180 degree change in his own attitude as he can't wait to barge out the train and look for him. In less than a minute you see how a human being can examine himself. Everything from the cinematography, the brilliant acting by candy and martin, even the facial reactions. It's perfection. A movie we all thought was a series of comedic mishaps turns out to want to express a very humane and noble idea. Sadly, they don't make movies like this any more, and Candy is not even here for us to try. John candy you are sorely missed. Me you rest in peace. If you don't shed a tear watching this clip you should soften your heart and check yourself. It's really that well done.