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Mister Showman

Original title: The Great Buck Howard
  • 2008
  • Tous publics
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
15K
YOUR RATING
Tom Hanks, John Malkovich, Griffin Dunne, Steve Zahn, Colin Hanks, Ricky Jay, and Emily Blunt in Mister Showman (2008)
The Great Buck Howard Trailer
Play trailer2:37
1 Video
72 Photos
AdventureComedyDrama

A young man, much to the chagrin of his father, becomes the new assistant to an illusionist in decline.A young man, much to the chagrin of his father, becomes the new assistant to an illusionist in decline.A young man, much to the chagrin of his father, becomes the new assistant to an illusionist in decline.

  • Director
    • Sean McGinly
  • Writer
    • Sean McGinly
  • Stars
    • Colin Hanks
    • John Malkovich
    • Tom Hanks
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    15K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Sean McGinly
    • Writer
      • Sean McGinly
    • Stars
      • Colin Hanks
      • John Malkovich
      • Tom Hanks
    • 53User reviews
    • 70Critic reviews
    • 63Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    The Great Buck Howard
    Trailer 2:37
    The Great Buck Howard

    Photos72

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    Top cast91

    Edit
    Colin Hanks
    Colin Hanks
    • Troy Gable
    John Malkovich
    John Malkovich
    • Buck Howard
    Tom Hanks
    Tom Hanks
    • Mr. Gable
    Emily Blunt
    Emily Blunt
    • Valerie Brennan
    Ricky Jay
    Ricky Jay
    • Gil Bellamy
    Steve Zahn
    Steve Zahn
    • Kenny
    Griffin Dunne
    Griffin Dunne
    • Jonathan Finerman
    Debra Monk
    Debra Monk
    • Doreen
    Adam Scott
    Adam Scott
    • Alan Berkman
    Patrick Fischler
    Patrick Fischler
    • Michael Perry
    Wallace Langham
    Wallace Langham
    • Dan Green
    Jonathan Ames
    Jonathan Ames
    • Edward Kelly
    Jacquie Barnbrook
    Jacquie Barnbrook
    • Sheila Heller
    Paul Darricarrere
    • Restaurant Manager
    Terry Scannell
    • Kip
    Matt Hoey
    • Charley
    Jobi Graham
    • Tall Guy
    B.J. Hendricks
    B.J. Hendricks
    • Burly
    • Director
      • Sean McGinly
    • Writer
      • Sean McGinly
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews53

    6.415K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    5bruce-273

    Colin Hanks is flat and uninspired in this otherwise decent film.

    I think the film would have been great if they cast someone besides Colin Hanks. He is undeniably mediocre in this role. He performance is flat and drab and when I see him perform I can not help but think how much better the scene would be if someone else starred. I don't have a problem with this kid trying to cut his teeth in acting but do we all have to watch him learn to act on film. Seriously does Colin's dad Tom Hanks have to manufacture films just so his kid can have and acting career. I know Hollywood is nothing more than nepotism as a business but when the actor really doesn't cut it it's all the more insulting to the public and shame on the director for not trying to get more out of him.
    Chrysanthepop

    'That's distilled water. I'm not an iron'.

    Inspired by The Amazing Kreskin, Sean McGinly's 'The Great Buck Howard' tells the story of a fading celebrity mentalist and his travelling assistant. Buck still believes he's a star and is willing to do almost anything legal to stay on top. Egocentric he is, he's also very demanding, rude and inconsiderate towards his employees, blaming them for anything that goes wrong. McGinly's storytelling is very impressive. The film opens with Troy narrating his dream of what to become when he grows up while his dad pushes him to study law. He grows up. Quits law school. Decides to be a writer and then meets the mentalist. Right from the moment Troy meets Buck, the film focuses on their journey.

    The writing is first rate. There are no forced filler subplots. Characterization, even of the supporting, is brilliant (which is crucial for a character-driven film). There's a very likable quirkiness about it. The humour works very well. The film kept me engaged all the way.

    The modest execution is also well done. Cinematography and score are adequate.

    John Malkovich is fantastic in the title role. This is a part that suits him to the T and he performs naturally all the way. Colin Hanks is equally superb as Howard's patient travelling assistant. The actor holds his own. Steve Zahn, Debra Monk, Tom Hanks and Adam Scott provide excellent support. Emily Blunt is decent.

    'The Great Buck Howard's a delight to watch. Sean McGinly has made this film with heart and it shows.
    8la_fleur

    You think you've failed at life? Buck Howard will show your path

    Houdini was once approached by a student who told him, "I know hundreds of card tricks, how many do you know?" Houdini replied, "Five, and I have dedicated my entire life to learning how to entertain an audience with them".

    Buck Howard is a dried up celebrity struggling for his last gasp of fame. Almost forty years ago, Johnny Carson gave Buck Howard the title "The Great Buck Howard" and it stuck. Unfortunately, those years have left their mark and Buck is no longer 'Great'. Despite his tired jokes, sappy piano clap-along songs and magic acts he manages to attract small crowds at far-flung venues in the middle of America. The performances are always "One Night Only", as there would never be enough seat-fillers for a second. So what is exactly that keeps him going?

    Colin Hanks plays Troy Gable, a law school dropout looking for a detour to finally get the answer to what he is meant to do in life. Will be able to counsel him a unbalanced magician -or mentalist-?

    Nicely done, this film is funny and likable. A modern story about life dreams, the fierce entertainment industry, and the sadness that hides behind a bad temperamental person. Every well-known actor that appears in this film,even if they play short cameo roles, plays an important part.

    It's quite a gentle, unusual comedy, so morals behind this movie are hard to get. However, this is a good film worth watching and definitely should be shown as an example of outstanding acting from Malkovich to Star Trek actor George Takei.
    6stuprince

    Enjoyable story about "B" celebs

    This could be the story about so many "B" level celebrities, and is based on the life story of the "Amazing Kresken," The Great Buck Howard tells us that once you enter the field of entertainment, you might do anything to stay on top.

    Buck Howard (played wonderfully cheesy by John Malkovich) is a "mentalist" who was popular on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show," appearing 61 times. He is a classic 70s Vegas magician, doing fascinating tricks and metal feats of amazement. In all, he is a relic of decades past, entertainment without special effects and he still seems to think he is on top of the entertainment world.

    Howard's career has has hit near the bottom, performing in such hotbeds as Bakersfield, CA and Akron, OH in front of partially filled small auditoriums. Still, he see's himself as a big time entertainer that is just not getting the break he needs to get back on top (much of which he blames on Jay Leno), in many ways he is a sad individual and does not get that the only people who enjoy him are almost as sad as him.

    The story is told through the eyes of his traveling secretary, played by Colin Hanks, who is, himself, struggling with issues. He is battling his desires to become famous with his fathers (played by his real dad Tom Hanks)wish he become a lawyer. since he has no real talent (other than writing)he is breaking into entertainment the only way he sees possible.

    This is a charming film, not something for those looking for action, a major love story (a minor one occurs between Colin and the beautiful Emily Blunt (best known as the 1st assistant in The Devil Wears Prada), or some major personal victory, although in the end, Howard does find what makes him happy.

    This is a movie that likely describes the life of many "B" entertainers that are seeking to stay in a limelight that has moved away from them. it is simple and enjoyable.
    JohnDeSando

    Not Great . . .

    The Great Buck Howard is not a great movie, but it is sometimes a sweet movie. Deliberately pushing the nostalgia button, the film bathes in the lost star power of a once famous "mentalist" Buck Howard (John Malkovich), who best represents the simple days of magicians like the Amazing Kreskin (the inspiration for Buck's character). As with Kreskin, Buck once delighted the late night shows, Vegas venues, and small towns such as Akron, Ohio.

    Troy Gable (Colin Hanks) drops out of law school to become a writer (his uninspired voice over narration notwithstanding), but first he becomes Howard's assistant, much to the chagrin of his father (Tom Hanks—yes, that Hanks and that real-life father). Troy gets plenty of material from his boss, a dime-store vaudeville diva who yet displays a self confidence and pride to help the most cynical of us see the need to push on in the face of adversity, not the least of which is becoming passé.

    Along the way we might learn a thing or two about professional integrity, true grit, and the possibility of love in all the odd places. Troy seems to learn those lessons although Hanks so underplays it's hard to tell. Director Sean McGinly apparently can't coax anything more than dimpled smiles from Hanks, whose similarity to his dad is both physical and temperamental. "Bland" is another word that comes to mind although I found the younger Hanks more animated on the London stage.

    More passionate is publicist Valerie Brennan (Emily Blunt, reminding us of egos in Devil Wears Prada), with whom Troy must work and love. But, hey, even Malkovich underplays for this one, although his aging egotist is still impressive with the actor's patented impatience and theatrical outbursts. It's just that the underwhelming script doesn't allow the principals to rise above clichés, and the framing device of the relationship between narrator and mentalist goes nowhere (As it didn't for Gatsby's Nick either, I suppose).

    It's a small world of small town vaudeville, fading but eloquent about talent and the need to be who you really are. Not easy, that.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The character of "Troy Gable" is based on director Sean McGinly's experiences as road manager for The Amazing Kreskin, on which The Great Buck Howard is loosely based.
    • Goofs
      Alan asks a host to show "Troy and I" around (instead of "Troy and me") near the beginning of the movie.
    • Quotes

      Buck Howard: That's distilled water. I'm not an iron.

    • Connections
      Edited from The Jerry Springer Show (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      What the World Needs Now
      Written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach

      Performed by John Malkovich

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    FAQ18

    • How long is The Great Buck Howard?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 22, 2009 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Great Buck Howard
    • Filming locations
      • Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
    • Production companies
      • Bristol Bay Productions
      • Playtone
      • Great Buck Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $750,587
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $115,004
      • Mar 22, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $900,689
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 30m(90 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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