THE GREAT OUTDOORS
US, 1988, 90 minutes, Colour.
John Candy, Dan Aykroyd, Annette Bening, Stephanie Faracy.
Directed by Howard Deutsch.
The Great Outdoors was written by John Hughes, author of some of the National Lampoon Vacation films and Mr Mom, as well as the films about teenagers, including The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles. In 1987, he made the successful Planes, Trains and Automobiles with Steve Martin and John Candy. This film was written as a star vehicle for John Candy, who then went on to make Uncle Buck with Hughes. However, this film was directed by Hughes's associate, Howard Deutsch, who directed Pretty in Pink and Some Kind of Wonderful.
John Candy is very good as the father taking his family to the outdoors to hand on the traditions from his father to his son. Dan Aykroyd is good as the intruder, with an eye on real estate deals and getting money from Candy. There are the usual episodes of disasters on holidays - and all ending well. It is routine material generally, enlivened by the stars.
1. Amusing comedy? The contrast of city and country? City people in the country and disasters?
2. Location photography, the holiday atmosphere, the beauty of the outdoors? The musical score?
3. American vacations, the summer and the aura about vacations? The outdoors as part of the American vacation? The great outdoors and the wilderness, getting in communion with nature? The contrast with those with an eye to property development?
4. John Candy as Chester: the family man, his special relationship with his son, love for his wife, the cheerfulness and the expectations of the vocation? The spot, the house? The importance of the traditions? Enjoying the holiday? The upsets, the boats, the bears? His size and his eating, his breaking the record and feeling sick? Mishaps?
5. Connie and her support, the children, the boy and his flirting, the carnival, the girl, the date, his father's eating and the delay, the boat, the reconciliation?
6. Roman and his wife, the twins, their arrival? The intrusion? Relying on family? The takeover, Roman's outlook, their flashiness and their money? The contrast with Chester and his family? Organising various activities? The boat and its going backwards? The socialising?
7. The question of the money deals? Chester's irritation, Roman and his plea, the blackmail about the behaviour of the wedding? Chester and his compassion, giving Roman the money? The tantrum and Roman's coming to his senses, the return? Telling the truth?
8. The build-up to the storm, the crisis, being chased by the bears? Chester down the hole, sliding in the mud, the rescue? The amusing contrast with his story about the bears at the beginning? The bear at the door?
9. Wally, the country people, the hotels, the organisation? The young girl and her friendship with Chester's son?
10. The raccoons and their behaviour - and their subtitled comments?
11. The portrait of the American family? The yuppies and the contrast with the ordinary citizens? The people in the country? Lifestyle on holidays? The contrast with home? Amusing adventures and disasters? The transformation of families? The happy ending and the song routine during the final credits?
