We all have a favorite movie. The one we latch onto, the one we watch over and over again, seeing something new each and every time. It’s the one we know every line, every nuance. For Mark Leslie, that movie is the 1987 classic comedy starring John Candy and Steve Martin, Planes, Trains & Automobiles. The movie is about two men who meet in Chicago. Neal Page (played by Steve Martin) is a marketing executive and the hapless Del Griffith (played by John Candy) is a shower curtain ring salesman. It is almost Thanksgiving and Neal Page is desperately trying to make it home in time to spend the holiday with his wife, children, and extended family. His journey home is a comedy of errors and bad luck. Everything that could possibly go wrong, does.
Planes, Trains & Automobiles is, for many, one of the go-to movies to watch during the holidays. It surely ranks among National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation or Home Alone. Families sit down and watch, thankful they’re with the people they love, and not struggling to find a way home. While it never became what could be considered a blockbuster it certainly has its own cult following. Mark Leslie is assuredly one of those numbers as demonstrated by this book.
One of the little-known facts about the movie concerns a prop book called The Canadian Mounted. I found the story of the prop book particularly interesting. A mere prop, a fake book that had never been published has now become a real, live book. Not only did this fictional book make an appearance in this movie, but also had a cameo in Deadpool 2. When Mark decided to write this book, he decided to make the fictional book real. This is fitting since The Canadian Mounted is a tribute to the movie, and to John Candy. That Mark’s book brings it full circle is extraordinarily satisfying. That The Canadian Mounted was an easter egg in Deadpool only adds to the mystique of the prop.
The Canadian Mounted by Mark Leslie is a tribute to John Candy specifically for his role in Planes, Trains & Automobiles. It reads as a “hey, guess what” type of book. It’s filled with fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, facts, and tidbits about the movie, John Hughes the Director, and the actors. For example, Kevin Bacon was listed toward the top of the credits despite having only approximately one minute of screen time, and another movie starring Kevin Bacon, unreleased as of the release of Planes, Trains & Automobiles, appears briefly onscreen.
The regard Mark has for John Candy is apparent throughout the book. His appreciation for the actor’s comedic talent, especially when combined with the talent of Steve Martin couldn’t be more clear. While it could be argued that Steve Martin was the top bill in the movie, Mark Leslie focuses on John Candy in his role of Del Griffith. There are numerous examples of John Candy portraying Del almost as a bumbling but loveable fool.
The one drawback of the book is the chapters. I found the subjects of each chapter to be almost random and felt a little odd. They drew my attention to a mild extent. It was hard to tell if the chapters were in chronological order, or if there was another system for choosing what chapters to include and in what order. However, despite my curiosity being aroused, I found myself too interested in what I was reading to be overly concerned. The confusion of the chapters wasn’t enough to distract me from the words.
The Canadian Mounted wasn’t at all what I expected. It was better. A book full of fun little tidbits and trivia about a movie that is now 35 years old was, happily, oddly fascinating. John Candy was a great actor, and Mark Leslie’s book The Canadian Mounted gives the reader an appreciation for one of John Candy’s best, and most well-known movies.
I recommend The Canadian Mounted for any readers who miss and enjoy John Candy’s movies. He was a great and funny actor, and this book is a wild trip down memory lane.
Cover Score: 8.0/10
Book Score: 8.5/10
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Review by Andrea Martin
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