Uncle Buck (1989)

 Uncle Buck (1989)


While not the perfect comedy, John Hughes’s Uncle Buck is an underrated comedy. Hughes, as evidently seen in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, knows perfectly well how to use John Candy in his movies. Candy is at his best when he plays these hapless characters because these characters may be wayward or dare I say dimwitted, but they always have a big heart. This character is no exception. At times, the film is threatened by mean-spiritedness or sentimentality, but there is enough heart to give the film a pass. At times, there is some hilarious comedy. In a fine example of being mean-spirited yet utterly hilarious, Candy’s line (“take this quarter, go downtown…”) stays with me every time. Hey, Uncle Buck tries to do right by the children no matter what he has to do or say. If anything, I did have a problem with Jean Louisa Kelly’s performance and how the script used her. She was just angry about everything! Even in my hormonal years, I never was half that angry. Take a chill pill, girl!

As usual with his films, Hughes directed the movie from his own script. His script may not be as memorable as previous films, but we still see why Hughes is the master of dialogue. He delivers great dialogue in situations that are absolutely relatable. It helps that he has a cast good enough to make the dialogue effective. For instance, take that scene Candy had with young Macaulay Culkin. Culkin asks Candy a million questions and responds with rapid dialogue. A great example of the cast and dialogue working together hand-in-hand.

The Russell family have recently moved from Indianapolis to Chicago. The family has three kids: Tia (Jean Louisa Kelly), Miles (Macaulay Culkin), and Maizy (Gaby Hoffmann). Tia, in particular, is very angry about the move. The parents are needed back in Indianapolis when it was discovered the grandfather had a heart attack. The problem is that someone is needed to watch the house and kids. Enter Uncle Buck (John Candy). Buck is seen as lazy and sloppy, but they have no choice. Buck does everything he can to help the kids. Tia hates him even though Buck is just trying to protect her from her “boyfriend”. He also has his own personal problems with his girlfriend, Chanice (Amy Madigan) who is tired of his lazy lifestyle.

John Candy works magic anytime he is in a Hughes film. His character could be an absolute loser, but still ends up being a lovable character. He is the film’s heart. I could have used less of Amy Madigan as I felt her scenes with Candy did not work as well. Culkin is awesome and has his Home Alone swagger. Jean Louisa Kelly did irritate me with her “angry at everyone and everything” mood. I am not sure if her character deserved such a redemption.

Uncle Buck is good for what it is. It is funny and heartfelt but there are times where it can turn borderline mean and uncomfortable. Thankfully there are more ups than downs. This is not The Breakfast Club or Planes, Trains, and Automobiles but Hughes still proves that he can write snappy lines of dialogue in highly relatable situations. Give the film a chance if you are a fan of John Hughes.

My Grade: B

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