My Thanksgiving Trio

My Thanksgiving Trio

I have a love-hate relationship with Thanksgiving.  I think most adult children do at some point.   No matter how long you’re away from home, all you have to do is walk in the door and your “role” has been resumed as if your family is some kind of theatre troupe who only has one play in their repertoire.  God forbid there has been a change in your life, good or bad – for it will become the focus of at least part of the discussion.

Fortunately for most of us, there is at least ONE person we look forward to seeing regardless; the one who will pat our hand to keep us calm, or even divert attention away from you to aid your stomach and psyche. 

Then again, sometimes that person is also having a bad year and can throw you under the bus.  This is why I make it a point to have these films on while I’m still at my home making my assigned side dish.  They are all comedies and have never let me down.  

I give you . . .

Son in Law 

Director :   Steve Rash

Written by:  Patrick J. Clifton & Susan McMartin

Carla Gugino plays Rebecca, a Nebraskan farm girl transplanted to the free-wheeling dorm life of UCLA.  After a rocky start, she enlists Crawl (Pauly Shore), her R.A. into helping her adjust to California living.  She does all the idiot freshman things: she dies her hair, gets a tattoo and dresses completely different, all in the first 2 months.  Then the dreaded Thanksgiving break arrives.  She drags Crawl back home with her to meet her family, and the hilarity ensues.

I remember this film being out as I was graduating high school, and really identified with the theme of walking the identity tightrope – who you want to be versus who your loved ones think you should be.

Home for the Holidays

Director: Jodie Foster

Written by:  W. D. Richter  based on the short story by Chris Radant.

Claudia (Holly Hunter) has lost her job, made out with her boss, and is coming down with a cold all on the same day – the day before Thanksgiving.  She has also found out that she is making this trip alone, as her daughter Kitt (Claire Danes) has decided to spend the holiday with her boyfriend.  She goes on to meet her parents, played by Anne Bancroft & Charles Durning at her childhood home, and finds herself swimming in a sea of family dramas

This film had some eerie parallels for me.  First, the birth order of the kids is girl, boy girl just like my tribe.  The youngest two fight constantly and everyone has a feeling of fatigue underlying everything they say and do.   Except for mystery friend Joe Fish (Dylan McDermott) that is!

Trust me when I say the Turkey scene alone is worth it.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

Written & Directed by: John Hughes

Workaholic Ad exec Neal (Steve Martin), has to get home for Thanksgiving.  He ends up with an unlikely travel partner named Del (John Candy) a shower ring salesman. They spend two days criss-crossing the country to make it in time, learning about each other along the way.   To tell you any more than that would spoil the adventure.

Most folks remember the infamous pillow scene, but I just see it as another stellar entry in the John Hughes canon of character-driven relationship comedies. 

Happy Thanksgiving wherever you are.

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