I'm reposting it toward the mid-point of our summer vacation, and nothing says summer quite like a chaotic family getaway gone wrong, and in doing so, Candy makes every disaster hilarious.
Stuck at home during break from college, I made it my mission to knock out a big list of “must-see” movies from the local video store, One Dollar Video. Summer Rental was one of the 80s comedies that instantly stuck with me.
I’ve been a John Candy fan forever. From Home Alone and The Great Outdoors to Camp Candy on mornings before school, but this was my first time seeing him in a starring role, where he carries the film, and I've kept it in regular rotation since.
As an airline pilot, I get a special kick out of this one. Candy plays Jack Chester, a stressed-out air traffic controller who has a meltdown and gets forced into a five-week family vacation in Florida. The film is the perfect mix of relatable vacation chaos and pure 80s comedy gold, with everything from mistaken addresses and sunburns to a smug rich guy. It captures that “everything that can go wrong, will” family trip vibe we’ve all lived through.
If you’re looking for the perfect summer movie night, this one delivers big laughs and that warm John Candy feel.
Who else loves Summer Rental? What’s your favorite John Candy movie or vacation disaster story? Drop it in the comments!
.png)
Comments