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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
John Candy has one of his finest opportunities in this film by John Hughes (The Breakfast Club) about a perpetual screw-up (Candy) who gets his act together enough to watch over his brother's kids effectively. The late actor scores big points resurrecting elements of his more decadent persona from SCTV days, but he also has some persuasively touching, sentimental moments. Hughes's direction is not as focused as it was only a few years before, but there's no mistaking his touch. --Tom Keogh
Product Description
John Candy, Amy Madigan. Fun-loving Uncle Buck agrees to watch his brother's kids-to the chagrin of his snotty teenage niece-in this delightful John Hughes comedy. 1989/color/100 min/PG/widescreen.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Director/writer John Hughes is one of those Hollywood success stories who has left in his wake a heap of popular and often entertaining films, leaving an indelible stamp on motion picture history. He may not have won a ton of awards, but the regular folks (as opposed to film snobs) love his work and have made him a very wealthy man. A list of his better known films would have to start with "Home Alone" and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," and would continue with "The Breakfast Club," "Pretty in Pink," "Planes, Trains, & Automobiles," and "Sixteen Candles," as well as many others.
This particular John Hughes film stars John Candy as Uncle Buck, the kind of character Candy specialized in. He's a middle-aged kid who can't seem to find a good reason to accept any responsibility in life. As he says in one scene, "People used to say to me, 'Buck, you've got it made. You've got no kids, no wife, no office, no desk, no boss, nothing to tie you down. You've really got it made.' Well, they don't say that to me any more."
Among Hughes's "coming of age" pictures, this one is unique. The coming of age is usually a teen or preteen. Here's it's Uncle Buck who is coming of age. His brother and sister-in-law have to leave town for a few days to tend his brother's ailing father-in-law, and they are absolutely devoid of babysitters...except for Uncle Buck, the embarrassing relation they have chosen to avoid until now. Their three kids include 15-year-old Tia (Jean Louisa Kelly, now seen on TV's "Yes, Dear," in her film debut), 8-year-old Miles (Macaulay Culkin, his first major film role and the one that inspired Hughes to give him his next major role in a little something called "Home Alone"), and 6-year-old Gaby Hoffman (shortly before she played the child lead in "Sleepless in Seattle").
You can practically write the film yourself from there, to a point. Buck has to be responsible for the kids, falls in love with them, is a far better (and much, much funnier) surrogate dad than anyone could have guessed, and by film's end things have all changed for the better. Sure, it's a little too much of a happy Hollywood ending to be true (OK, way much too much), but one doesn't expect Shakespeare here, just good, solid, entertaining comedy with a heart. That's typical John Hughes, and since he gives us so many good laughs we forgive him if it doesn't always completely ring true. "Uncle Buck" may be underrated among Hughes's films, but it's well worth remembering.
This particular John Hughes film stars John Candy as Uncle Buck, the kind of character Candy specialized in. He's a middle-aged kid who can't seem to find a good reason to accept any responsibility in life. As he says in one scene, "People used to say to me, 'Buck, you've got it made. You've got no kids, no wife, no office, no desk, no boss, nothing to tie you down. You've really got it made.' Well, they don't say that to me any more."
Among Hughes's "coming of age" pictures, this one is unique. The coming of age is usually a teen or preteen. Here's it's Uncle Buck who is coming of age. His brother and sister-in-law have to leave town for a few days to tend his brother's ailing father-in-law, and they are absolutely devoid of babysitters...except for Uncle Buck, the embarrassing relation they have chosen to avoid until now. Their three kids include 15-year-old Tia (Jean Louisa Kelly, now seen on TV's "Yes, Dear," in her film debut), 8-year-old Miles (Macaulay Culkin, his first major film role and the one that inspired Hughes to give him his next major role in a little something called "Home Alone"), and 6-year-old Gaby Hoffman (shortly before she played the child lead in "Sleepless in Seattle").
You can practically write the film yourself from there, to a point. Buck has to be responsible for the kids, falls in love with them, is a far better (and much, much funnier) surrogate dad than anyone could have guessed, and by film's end things have all changed for the better. Sure, it's a little too much of a happy Hollywood ending to be true (OK, way much too much), but one doesn't expect Shakespeare here, just good, solid, entertaining comedy with a heart. That's typical John Hughes, and since he gives us so many good laughs we forgive him if it doesn't always completely ring true. "Uncle Buck" may be underrated among Hughes's films, but it's well worth remembering.
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
John Candy has his BEST performance EVER in this film by John Hughes. "Uncle" Buck Russell (Candy) is a perpetual screw-up who HAS to get his act together enough to watch over his older brother's three kids & dog, Tia, Miles, Maisy and puppy, Parsey since his sister-in-law's father had a heart attack.
The cast includes Mac Culkin as Miles, Gaby Hoffman as Maisy, Amy Madigan as Buck's girlfriend, Chanice Kobolowski, & Laurie Metcalf (Roseanne's sister, Jackie) as the crazy neighbor lady, Marcie Dahlgren-Frost. Also billed in small parts are Anna Chlumsky (My Girl), Patricia Arquette, and Devon Odessa (My So-Called Life).
This film is totally hilarious but also has those wonderful John Candy touching/sentimental moments.
A wonderful family film that can be watched over and over again!
Happy Watching!
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I miss John Candy. He was one of my favorite comedic actors in the '80s. Some of my favorite movies stars John Candy like "The Great Outdoors" and "Spaceballs". "Uncle Buck" is another hilarious movie John starred in. He plays a happy-go-lucky bachelor named Buck who is a bit of a slob and not very responsible either. He gets a call from his brother in Chicago asking him to babysit his children while he and his wife go take care of his wife's father who had fallen ill. Buck agrees and goes to his brother's house, not knowing what was in store for him. Buck has to contend with two precocious children (one of them played by then unknown Macaulay Culkin)and one angst-riddled teenager named Tia. Tia gives Buck a run for his money with her teenage angst. This leads to a lot of conflict between the two especially when it concerned Tia's boyfriend. The two younger siblings Maisy and Miles are simply a handful and enjoys Buck's company. I particularly loved the scene when Buck is making pancakes and flips an enormous pancake with a shovel. Another hilarious moment is when the nosy neighbor played by the hysterically funny Laurie Metcalfe meets Uncle Buck. "Uncle Buck" is a good mix of comedy and a little drama (towards the end of the film). I thought John Candy put in one of his best performances ever with "Uncle Buck".
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vintage John Candy!
One of my favorite funny movies. John Candy is terrific and at his finest. There will truly never be another like him. It's been a real treat to introduce my teenagers to him. Read more
Published 5 days ago by RJS
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
What can you say about John Candy but funny funny funny. I was sorry to hear he died but thank goodness we have his movies.
Published 16 days ago by jerelaine
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic
This is a movie so worth purchasing! You can watch it over and over again and it's always good for a few laughs. I bought it to share with the kids and it was such a good call. Read more
Published 17 days ago by Lori A Buttorff
5.0 out of 5 stars
SIMPLY JOHN
John Candy is a Laugh Rioit in this off the wall somewhat unothdaox family comedy you'll LOVE IT. as much as I do
Published 22 days ago by Kate Joyner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Uncle Buck
Classic movie, what's more to say. If you haven't seen it rent it great Holiday movie with the kids too.
Published 22 days ago by Brad Cacace
5.0 out of 5 stars
I miss John Candy
About at his best. Great characters around him. Generally OK for 10-12 year old kids. Mild language. Holds up well.
Published 27 days ago by @sknier
1.0 out of 5 stars
Great Movie - Worst Blu-ray Ever.
Let me start out by saying that I absolutely love this movie. It is one of my all-time favorite comedies. That being said, I have to give the blu-ray version a 1 out of 5 stars. Read more
Published 29 days ago by AllUpInYoGrill
4.0 out of 5 stars
80s Movies
This is one of my favorite 80s movies and one of the best in my opinion directed by John Hughes.
Published 29 days ago by Samuel L. Slaydon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ease of Ordering - Great Price - Reliable Delivery
Loved the ease of searching for this classic John Candy comedy. Your search engine also provides interesting to related movies that I might be interested in. Read more
Published 1 month ago by David M. Pais
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must Have!
Incredibly funny! A classic. John Candy is absolutely hilarious. Great entertainment for the entire family and guests, too! Highly recommend it! Another John Hughes masterpiece.
Published 1 month ago by Deborah Shreffler
