L'oncle Buck

I agree with chapwithwings regarding John Candy vs Chris Farley & John Belushi. John Candy always had a sweetness about him that was obvious in any movie I ever saw him in & even though his comedy was sometimes a little over the top he was still more consistently funny than either Farley or Belushi. He could be laugh out loud funny but so vulnerable that you couldn't help but love him even though he was usually a bit of loser. I just saw Uncle Buck again today. It is one of my favourites along with Planes, Trains & Automobiles. I forgot how impossibly cute Macaulay Culkin & Gaby Hoffman were and Jean Louisa Kelly was totally believable as the angry young teen. I just really love a feel good movie & this is one.

I was BORN the year this film came out, but I've managed to see it on TV a few times and am proud to say I love it. Uncle Buck is one of my all time favorite movies. John Candy's jokes are just hilarious. He plays the part perfectly - if he wasn't cast as Uncle Buck, it wouldn't be half the movie it is. There are so many funny parts in this movie, even if you're in a horrible mood, you cannot help but laugh at least once. The music really enhances the movie, also. The teenager got on my nerves, but I suppose that's what she was supposed to do. Macaulay Culkin is charming and cute and has a few good scenes. Uncle Buck grabs onto your imagination and you cannot help but love it. If you haven't seen it, go out and rent it. You won't be sorry.

I love this movie. John Hughes is brilliant. John Candy shines. The plot

was perfect and the movie turned out great. Jean Louisa Kelly is perfect

for the girl going through decisions on teen sex. And seeing little

Macaulay Culkin before Home Alone and his fame made him a good start.

And before Now and Then and 200 Cigerettes, little Gaby Hoffmann is so

adorable. The little ones were my favorite characters. And the scene

where Miles (Culkin) was asking Buck (Candy) all of the personal

questions was one touching and entertaining scene. This movie was more

of a drama than a comedy once you get the feeling. Everyone should love

this movi

The more I see of the foul-mouthed hacks who pass as the comedians of today, the better John Candy seems in retrospect. I miss John Candy and the relatively genteel 1980s. I miss John Candy as Del Griffith. I miss John Candy in The Neat Guys. I miss John Candy as Dr. Tongue. I miss John Candy as Johnny LaRue. I miss John Candy as Mayor Tommy Shanks. I miss John Candy as Harry Crumb. I miss John Candy as the Shmenge Brothers. I miss John Candy as William B. Williams. I miss John Candy as Jack Chester. I miss John Candy. Some day, they will create a strong AI-based avatar of John and we will be able to enjoy a simulacrum of John, which will have to do.

I gave this an '8', which is one or two more points than it really should get, but the simple fact is - I enjoy watching it over and over. John Candy shines as Uncle Buck. He brings the character alive and you can't help but wish you had a crazy guy like that as an uncle.

Well, maybe a distant uncle, but still he's warm, lovable and helpless in so many ways. As one would expect, the story is simple, the scenes mostly predictable (except maybe the ax-murder scene?) and of course there's a happy ending.

The little kids, Maisy and Miles, played by Gaby Hoffman and a slightly younger Macaulay Culkin, are simply adorable! The teenage daughter (Jean Louisa Kelly) perfectly portrays a teenage girl in the throws of that classic imbalance between childhood and adulthood.

Anyway - no one dies. No one loses an eye or an arm. No houses burn down. There are no explosions, no fighter jet scenes, no wild car chases - just plain old silly fun.

Go watch it. This is not a request! Uncle Buck says watch it!