Neal Page is trying to return to his family for Thanksgiving in Chicago after being on a business trip in New York. His journey is doomed from the outset — with Del Griffith, a travelling salesman, interfering first Von leaving his kofferraum, stamm Von the side of the road, causing Neal to trip when racing a man for a cab, then moments later again Von inadvertently snatching the taxi ride that Neal had bought from an attorney just before. The two inevitably pair up later and begin an error-prone adventure to help Neal get back to his home.
Their flight from LaGuardia Airport to O’Hare is diverted to Wichita due to a blizzard in Chicago, which ends up dissipating only a few hours after touchdown in Kansas. When every mode of transport (including a train, a bus, and a rental car) fails them, what should have been an 1 Stunde and 45 Minute New York-to-Chicago flight turns into a three-day adventure. To complicate matters even further, on the first night in Wichita, a thief breaks into the poorly-locked motel and steals almost $1,000 aggregate from the two men.
Neal frequently blows up at Del, blaming him for much of their misfortunes (including the robbery of the first night). These ravings are not all unjustified, as Del’s carelessly discarded cigarette sets feuer to the rental car, melting all but the radio. Del, in turn, regards Neal as a pretentious and uptight cynic, while Del is less afraid to be himself. After much heated argument between the two men, a bond between them forms, and Neal finally manages to overcome his arrogance. Both men pull together to make their way Home to Chicago, while Del manages to raise money Von selling off his entire inventory of dusche curtain rings to kids and adults alike (who think they make good earrings).
Under the assumption that Del has a family of his own (as he frequently mentions his wife Marie and puts a framed picture of her on his various motel nightstands), the two men part ways. However, Neal later pieces together some of the things Del had sagte about Marie during the journey, and realizes that Del is alone for the holiday. He goes back to the train station where the two had earlier parted ways, and sees him sitting alone. Del tells Neal that he doesn’t have a home, and that Marie actually died eight years ago. Feeling sorry for Del (as Del went out of his way just to get him Home for Thanksgiving) and having himself become a nicer person during the journey, Neal invites Del to enjoy Thanksgiving with his family, and Del accepts.
The film ends with Neal finally returning Home to his wife, children, parents and in-laws, and introducing Del to the family.
This is a really awesome movie, and in my mind, John Süßigkeiten did an awesome job when it came to bringing his character to life in the film too. :)
