The Great Outdoors

The films of legendary 80s writer and director John Hughes (still a favorite for me after all these years) were so popular, so in demand during the decade he owned cinematically that he was unable to keep up with ... himself. Known for his classics like The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Sixteen Candles, he is less known for writing other of "his" classics, including Mr. Mom, National Lampoon's Vacation (and its sequels) and Home Alone. And then there's Howard Deutch.

Hughes' popularity in the 80s became burdensome to the degree that in order to keep up with demand for his creations, he would hand over the directing duties to Deutch on a few, and no less important films in his filmography. From 1986-1988, Deutch helmed 3 of Hughes' projects considered cannon by many: Pretty in Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful, and The Great Outdoors. The reason I bring all this up is because unlike the first two gigs, it was this 1988 fan favorite that worked the least for me. Hughes' absent here is felt. Not detrimentally, but in comparison to his genius.

I saw The Great Outdoors in the theaters on its release (thanks, Dad!), our attendance more driven by our family's love for John Candy than John Hughes. I remember being disappointed. Having seen the fantastic Funny Farm just two weeks earlier, I guess I was expecting something even greater dealing with the great American outdoors. But instead we got something off kilter, at least to a degree.

No doubt, The Great Outdoors is still an enjoyable film. Candy is great as always, there are plenty of funny scenes and enjoyable moments. In fact, there isn't anything specific I can point to as its downfall (although Annette Bening still feels like a strange casting choice). Even check out the theatrical poster art - FANTASTIC. All the elements were there for this to work, but overall, it doesn't. I guess in the way that the previous year's Planes, Trains and Automobiles worked perfectly, or Uncle Buck the year following, this did not. Instead, The Great Outdoors was a warning sign of what was soon to come. Hughes was now handing off projects he knew were "lesser," the kind that led us to Curly Sue, Career Opportunities, and other films that defined Hughes' late career decline before his sudden, unexpected loss in 2009.

I guess at the end of the day, I've seen this numerous times, and that has to count for something. Honestly, whenever I watch it I think "THIS is the time" it will really click for me. But it's yet to happen, still. Nearly 40 years later, I've seen The Good Outdoors plenty, but I keep hanging on, hoping to one day discover The Great Outdoors. Still, recommended.