Writer’s note: “Uncle Bark” marks the end of my small throwback comedy picks for January! Throughout the month of February, I will be taking a look at some more new releases that the Dietrich Theater will be featuring, along with some films that will be featured during the upcoming Winter Film Festival! I also have a couple other small things planned on the review front so make sure to check my Wyoming County Press Examiner reviews page on Facebook to see what I have planned!
To finish up my small throwback comedy series, I wanted to add a popular 80s comedy from the late legendary John Candy - “Uncle Buck.”
When Cindy and her husband, Bob, have to leave town for a family emergency, there is only one person available to babysit for their three kids: Bob’s lazy, carefree brother, Buck.
While he immediately gets along with the two younger children, Buck must change his bachelor lifestyle if he wants to be a responsible caregiver for the angst-filled teenager, Tia.
“Uncle Buck” is one of my favorite John Candy classics that I haven’t seen in some time. So, it was time to pay it a little visit once more. Now even though this 1989 comedy isn’t exactly perfect, there’s still some comedic magic from the one and only John Candy.
“Uncle Buck” is full of some good laughs, heartfelt moments and some lovable characters. John Candy has some great comedic chemistry with the two younger children (Gaby Hoffman; Macaulay Culkin) and they have some scenes that will really make you laugh. The scene where Miles (Culkin) is sort of questioning Buck in the kitchen is one of the best bits in this comedy.
Like most of his other films, John Candy does a great job making you laugh and some of his few heartfelt moments are also truly great. Some of his heartfelt moments come into play when we see Buck and the other daughter, Tia, finally getting along towards the end after giving Buck (and everyone else) a hard time.
While giving this comedy my first viewing in probably a couple years, I can see that the Buck character was perfect for Candy and can’t really see anyone else playing the role. The character, though irresponsible at times, loves his brother’s children like they were his own and even grows up a little at the end.
Let me know on my Wyoming County Press Examiner reviews page on Facebook what your favorite film is that stars the legendary John Candy.
Cast: John Candy (Buck); Jean Louisa Kelly (Tia); Macaulay Culkin (Miles); Gaby Hoffman (Maizy); Elaine Bromke (Cindy); Garrett M. Brown (Bob); Laurie Metcalf (Marcie); Jay Underwood (Bug); Amy Madigan (Chanice)
Writer/director: John Hughes (a couple films you may have heard of - The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Sixteen Candles and much more)
Trivia: Despite their characters not getting along for the majority of the movie, off camera Jean Louisa Kelly (Tia) got along very well with Candy and said she was honored to work with someone she considered a legend. Winona Ryder was the first choice for the role of Tia after John Hughes saw her in “Beetlejuice.” But Ryder turned it down, as she was busy working on the 80s cult classic ‘Heathers.”
Many actors were considered for the role of Buck, such as Robin Williams, Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, Dan Aykroyd, George Wendt, Ed O’Neill, Michael Keaton and even Tom Cruise (can’t really see Cruise as Buck).
MPAA: Rated PG (running time 100 minutes)
Where to find the movie: You can currently stream “Uncle Buck” on Peacock and rent it on various PVOD services.
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