Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn star in The Out-of-Towners, a movie somewhat similar to Martin's earlier, classical film, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. They are a married couple who travel to New York and must cope with a night on the town as their money is stolen, their bags disappear, and they are kicked out of their hotel. It parallels Planes, Trains in the way that everything that can go bad does, except that Out-of-Towners also deals with the romantic relationship between Martin and Hawn, which is better or worse depending on how you look at it (worse in terms of comedy).

The plane is rerouted to Boston. They miss their train. Their expensive rental car takes a nose dive through the piers. Their money is stolen. Their credit card bounces. They are thrown out of the hotel. They are caught having sex in Central Park...

There are three main characters in the movie: Henry (Martin), Nancy (Hawn), and Mr. Mersault (John Cleese). Martin is great, with his whimsical facial expressions and wisecracking behavior. But Goldie Hawn, who I usually fine unbearably annoying, was annoying in this, but in a funny way. She is just so stupid in this film that I couldn't help but laugh. And for John Cleese, who adds some hilarious remarks on his own, as well as dressing up as a woman, he delivers a great performance.

Still, The Out-of-Towners is a toned down Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, with not all of its high points and several more low points. Nevertheless, it is pretty good, and, if you've seen Planes, you probably should see Towners.

Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.