Yes, John Hughes, the writer and co-producer of this thing, may be clearly recycling "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" to a degree, but this variation still works due to entertaining and endearing characters, and some very good moments along the way.
Ed O'Neill is a hoot in the lead role of "Dutch" Dooley, an amiable working class lug dating Natalie Standish (JoBeth Williams), who married into the upper class. Natalie's got a son named Doyle (Ethan Embry, then still using his birth name Ethan Randall) enrolled in a far away prep school, and the kid is a stuck up, insufferable brat with a contempt and hatred for practically the whole world. So the tension is there from the beginning when agreeable Dutch volunteers to drive the kid home to Chicago in time for Thanksgiving. He hates Dutchs' guts at first, but it goes without saying that the journey is going to change not only his opinion of the man but the way he views things in general.
Assorted episodes include Dutch setting off firecrackers in a field, an automobile mishap, Dutch & Doyle hitching a ride with a pair of seemingly benevolent hookers (Ari Meyers, Elizabeth Daily), and the films' highlight, a scene in a homeless shelter. Some of the humor comes from taking a refined individual out of his element as Doyle is obliged to order food at a diner and later is overly neat with his utensils at the shelter (prompting Dutch to come up with the quip, "Would you like to see a wine list?"). Doyle comes to realize that there are good people in the world from all walks of life, and lets go of that pent-up hostility, while also learning the hard truth about his undependable father Reed (Christopher McDonald, once again playing a jerk to perfection).
O'Neill and Embry prove to be a good team as we wait for the kids' icy exterior to start melting; Dutch is a basically good, honest, and straightforward man who also helps Doyle finally find the child inside. Lovely scenery from various U. S. locations - in Tennessee, Illinois, and Georgia - is a big plus, as well as Alan Silvestris' music.
All in all, this is an appealing road comedy that does deserve a place as a seasonal favorite.
Seven out of 10.
Ed O'Neill is a hoot in the lead role of "Dutch" Dooley, an amiable working class lug dating Natalie Standish (JoBeth Williams), who married into the upper class. Natalie's got a son named Doyle (Ethan Embry, then still using his birth name Ethan Randall) enrolled in a far away prep school, and the kid is a stuck up, insufferable brat with a contempt and hatred for practically the whole world. So the tension is there from the beginning when agreeable Dutch volunteers to drive the kid home to Chicago in time for Thanksgiving. He hates Dutchs' guts at first, but it goes without saying that the journey is going to change not only his opinion of the man but the way he views things in general.
Assorted episodes include Dutch setting off firecrackers in a field, an automobile mishap, Dutch & Doyle hitching a ride with a pair of seemingly benevolent hookers (Ari Meyers, Elizabeth Daily), and the films' highlight, a scene in a homeless shelter. Some of the humor comes from taking a refined individual out of his element as Doyle is obliged to order food at a diner and later is overly neat with his utensils at the shelter (prompting Dutch to come up with the quip, "Would you like to see a wine list?"). Doyle comes to realize that there are good people in the world from all walks of life, and lets go of that pent-up hostility, while also learning the hard truth about his undependable father Reed (Christopher McDonald, once again playing a jerk to perfection).
O'Neill and Embry prove to be a good team as we wait for the kids' icy exterior to start melting; Dutch is a basically good, honest, and straightforward man who also helps Doyle finally find the child inside. Lovely scenery from various U. S. locations - in Tennessee, Illinois, and Georgia - is a big plus, as well as Alan Silvestris' music.
All in all, this is an appealing road comedy that does deserve a place as a seasonal favorite.
Seven out of 10.