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"Uncle Buck" attempts to tell a heart-warming story through a series of uncomfortable and unpleasant scenes; it's a tug-of-war between its ambitions and its methods. It stars John Candy as the title character, a big-hearted softy who has been drifting through life as an unemployed horse-racing fan. Buck's brother Bob calls one night with an emergency: Bob's father-in-law has had a heart attack, and they need someone to house-sit and watch the kids for a few days.

Buck agrees, and arrives a few hours later, driving a big gas hog that leaves billowing clouds of exhaust fumes in its wake. (It's often a sign of desperation in a movie when a character is given a funny car, and "Uncle Buck" is no exception.) At his brother's expensive home in the northern suburbs of Chicago, he finds three kids uneasily waiting for him: a cute little boy and girl, and a glowering 15-year-old ( Jean Kelly ) who resents him just as she resents, apparently, every facet of her existence.

The parents hurry off to Indianapolis, to clear the way for the predictable plot, in which shabby old Uncle Buck tries his best to be a good parent, and eventually wins the love of all of the kids, although not without some hard times in between. Although Buck attempts to project serenity around the house, he has heavy matters weighing on him - not the least of which is his relationship with his girlfriend ( Amy Madigan ), who owns a tire store and is fed up with Buck's wayward life plan.

What happens in "Uncle Buck" is not hard to anticipate, but what's surprising is how many wrong notes are sounded by the story, written and directed by John Hughes . Often it's a matter of tone. The rebellious teenager is too angry sometimes, too sharp to be sympathetic. A promiscuous neighbor ( Laurie Metcalf ), who comes over to make a play for Uncle Buck, is such a caricature that she doesn't amuse, she repels.

In one particularly uncomfortable scene, Uncle Buck confronts a grade-school teacher and flips her a quarter ("to go downtown and have a rat gnaw that growth off of your face"). The scene is handled with such a mean spirit that any possible humorous effect is lost, and we simply feel had afterward.

We also feel uneasy, most of the time, while Uncle Buck attempts to deal with the 15-year-old girl's relationship with her boyfriend. Buck delivers one long speech in which he offers to shave the lad's kneecaps with an ax, and a little later he comes after him with a power drill, and then locks him in a car trunk. Sure, the kid is no good, but these scenes seem borrowed from some black comedy from a bloodier universe than good old Buck seems to inhabit.

Many of the elements in "Uncle Buck" represent familiar territory for Hughes, who often deals with teenagers and almost always shoots in Chicago's northern suburbs.

Perhaps the title character in "Uncle Buck" was inspired by the hapless, lovable character played by Candy in Hughes' 1987 comedy, " Planes, Trains and Automobiles ." This could be a glimpse of the same man's life when he's not on the road.

But Hughes is usually the master of the right note, the right line of dialogue, and this time there's an uncomfortable undercurrent in the material.

The movie is filled with good intentions and good feelings, but they seem to conceal another side of Uncle Buck - a side that makes the movie feel creepy and subtly unwholesome.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

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Film Credits

Uncle Buck (1989)

100 minutes

Elaine Bromka as Cindy Russell

Jean Kelly as Tia Russell

Laurie Metcalf as Marcie Dahlgren-Frost

Amy Madigan as Chanice Kobolowski

Gaby Hoffman as Maizy Russell

MacAulay Culkin as Miles Russell

Garrett M. Brown as Bob Russell

Written and Directed by

• John Hughes

Produced by

• Tom Jacobson
• Lou Lombardo
• Tony Lombardo

Photography by

• Ira Newborn

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Common sense media reviewers.

'80s comedy about a bachelor babysitter has profanity, sex.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Uncle Buck learns the importance of family and com

Despite his deliberate unemployment, avoidance of

Buck punches a drunk man dressed as a clown. He th

When Buck swears and wrestles with an uncooperativ

A teen girl and her younger brother and sister say

Teens drink and smoke cigarettes. Drinking shown i

Parents need to know that Uncle Buck is a 1989 John Hughes-directed movie in which John Candy plays a perpetually irresponsible adult brought in to babysit his nieces and nephew due to a family emergency. Within the first five minutes, a teen girl, while exchanging unpleasantries with her brother and sister,…

Positive Messages

Uncle Buck learns the importance of family and committed relationships. Tia, his teenage niece, learns to put more trust in the adults in her life and to try to do a better job of understanding her mother in particular.

Positive Role Models

Despite his deliberate unemployment, avoidance of committing to a relationship with his serious girlfriend, his slovenly appearance, and general irresponsibility, Uncle Buck clearly cares about his nieces and nephews and doesn't cave in to his teen niece's antisocial behavior. He grows to understand that, for all its freedom, his life of bachelorhood has some drawbacks.

Violence & Scariness

Buck punches a drunk man dressed as a clown. He threatens and implies violence toward his niece's boyfriend and later kidnaps him, puts him in his trunk, and tapes his wrists and ankles with duct tape. In a bedroom at a teen party, a boy makes sexual advances toward a girl with no real consent.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

When Buck swears and wrestles with an uncooperative washing machine, an eavesdropper thinks he's having rough sex. Talk of teen pregnancy in the case of Tia and her boyfriend, who clearly wants to go all the way with her. Buck has pet names for his girlfriend's private parts, culminating in "Felix," and as he goes over the pet names on her answering machine, the scene is abruptly cut by the sound of a meowing cat before he gets to say what "Felix" represents.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

A teen girl and her younger brother and sister say "s--t," "crap," and "goddammit." Later, the young boy asks his teen sister if she's "waiting for your sex?" Adults use occasional profanity: "son of a bitch," "a--hole," "pissant." While leaving a lengthy phone message on his girlfriend's answering machine, Buck talks about the pet names for her breasts and buttocks before talking about "Felix," and he's about to say what it is before the scene cuts to the sound of a meowing cat. A neighbor who sneaks into the house where Uncle Buck is babysitting, not realizing he's there, overhears him trying to unjam a packed washing machine, confusing his comments and violent thrusting for something sexual. An intoxicated man dressed as a clown talks about all the "dildo jokes" he made the night before at a bachelorette party.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Teens drink and smoke cigarettes. Drinking shown in a packed teen house party. Cigar smoking. Beer drinking at bars and bowling alleys. A clown hired to be the entertainment for a young boy's birthday party arrives drunk.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Uncle Buck is a 1989 John Hughes-directed movie in which John Candy plays a perpetually irresponsible adult brought in to babysit his nieces and nephew due to a family emergency. Within the first five minutes, a teen girl, while exchanging unpleasantries with her brother and sister, says "crap" and "s--t," followed by the brother saying "goddammit" and the little girl saying "s--t." Later, the boy asks his teen sister if she's "waiting for your sex?" While the profanity from kids more or less slows down after the beginning, adults also use profanity and make reference to "dildo jokes," and a neighbor mistakenly thinks Buck is having sex in the laundry room because of the sounds he makes as he tries to unjam a packed washing machine. Teens drink and smoke; the boyfriend of the teen girl clearly wants to have sex with her and is later seen engaged in nonconsensual foreplay with another girl at a party. For his part, Uncle Buck smokes cigars, drinks beer to excess, talks of pet names for his girlfriend's private parts (culminating in his name for his private part, "Felix"), and seems to make his living engaged in various scams involving gambling. Nonetheless, the movie does attempt to paint an accurate picture of 1980s teen life, and the characters begin to see the errors in their ways and lifestyles. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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Community Reviews

• Parents say (17)
• Kids say (40)

Based on 17 parent reviews

Uncle Buck 1982

Hi this is Matthew Rhodes so anyhow i am trying an other movies copies or clean verisons to get as fatherhood as an was clean so anywho the some in Planes Trains and Automobiles and Diray Of A Wimpy Kid or Diray Of A Wimpy Kid Rodrick Rules and Diray of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days and Diray Of A Wimpy Kid The Long Haul was some per postitove of messages and language and violence and sexaul and no nutty and rude content My Sister and My Brother Erin Johnson Rhodes and Lucas Johnson they have kids there names are donamic and Louisa Johnson they live in Zeeland Michgan so anyhow some movies like the the Loarx and Toy Story and Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3 Toy Story 4 Wreck it Ralph Ralph Breaks the Internet has some rude contentand the new annie and instant Family John Cena Playing with fire Tangeld and Frozen or Frozen 2

What's the Story?

Buck Russell ( John Candy ), 40, is a sports-betting, unemployed bachelor living in a messy apartment, stringing along his longtime girlfriend, Chanice (Amy Madigan), who wants to settle down with him. The black sheep of the family, Buck is shocked when his brother calls. It's an emergency -- his sister-in-law's father has suffered a heart attack, and they need Buck stay at their posh suburban home to watch the kids while they go out of town. Buck walks into an uncomfortable household situation. Little Mazy ( Gaby Hoffman ) and Miles ( Macaulay Culkin ) get along great with the big, goofy teddy-bear uncle. But 15-year-old niece Tia (Jean Kelly) positively loathes Buck. Her resentment and teen rebellion against her mother take the form of haughty sarcasm, progressive apparel, and hanging with a vaguely "goth" party crowd. Eventually Tia's feud with Buck crosses the line and causes genuine pain. But you get the feeling the girl is just imitating, in caricature, typically snotty grown-ups on her side of the tracks.

Is It Any Good?

In Uncle Buck , John Hughes has created a likable hero who exhibits both the virtues and the drawbacks of acting like a big kid. The benefits outweigh the negatives, though -- or at least that's the case Hughes tries to make. As he did in Pretty in Pink and The Breakfast Club , Hughes makes it seem like class structure in America is just as divisive as the dukedoms and commoners in Jane Austen 's backyard.

And, when Buck agrees to watch the kids, it not only helps him avoid a job Chanice lined up for him, but it's also supposed to prove to her that he can be a responsible parent-like figure in spite of himself. There's enough slapstick and falling-down stuff with Candy acting goofy to please viewers not looking for heavy stuff, and the acting is all on target.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the conflicts among the various characters. Do you think Buck could have handled bad-girl Tia in a more productive way? Do you believe the way the story comes out? Has Buck himself grown up a little by the end? What do you think will happen between him and Chanice?

In the 1980s, John Hughes, the director of Uncle Buck , made a name for himself by making movies that tried to move beyond the typical trite stereotyping of teenagers and to convey the realities of broken homes, drug and alcohol use, teen sex, cliques, and not fitting in as well as coming to grips with first loves, more responsibilities, and uncertain futures. Where and how do these portrayals of teens seem (and look) dated, and what are some of the ways in which the issues addressed are still discussed decades after these movies were released?

If you could remake this movie, how would you do it? Who would star?

Movie Details

• In theaters : August 16, 1989
• On DVD or streaming : August 23, 2005
• Cast : Jean Louisa Kelly , John Candy , Macaulay Culkin
• Director : John Hughes
• Studio : Universal Studios Home Entertainment
• Genre : Comedy
• Topics : Book Characters
• Run time : 100 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG
• Last updated : November 3, 2023

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Uncle Buck Review

01 Jan 1989

100 minutes

A sort of cut-price Parenthood from the pen and megaphone of John Hughes, and thus is funny, sentimental and pointedly moral, made very easy on sensibilities thanks to the hulking congeniality of John Candy. It’s the journey into adulthood once more that concerns glossy social commentator Hughes, here of a died-in-the-wool bachelor fully committed to the gospel of pizza and Bud, but through a rites-of-parental-passage will come to learn the value of family and pick up the tab on his faltering relationship with Amy Madigan.

Candy, who makes a charming asset out of his girth, works both ends of this trite deal considerably well. First, we have the trial by responsibility, as the big lummox causes mayhem in kitchen and laundry room. A fairly standard series of botched chores, turned into amusing skits by Buck’s furious determination not to be the great oaf he clearly is Pride, you see, is an issue. Naturally, the two small kids (one played by the still button-cute Macaulay Culkin from Home Alone) think he’s like Santa Claus with a gambling habit. This, though, is above all things a Hughes parable, and we will need some teen angst to truly prove his mettle. So, Buck will rub up against eldest daughter Tia (Jean Louisa Kelly) currently detained by a regulation rebellious period. The main thrust of the movie seems to be the point these two will come to respect one another, and culminates in a decent sequence where Buck comes to her rescue with a power drill.

It all adheres to Hughes’ limited worldview — that teens and families can be measured on some kind of sliding scale of good deeds and growing pains. Nonsense, basically, without any risk taking or taking up of the real potential for blacker comedy, but made beguiling and palatable by one of cinema’s big-boned greats.

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Review/Film; An Uncouth Uncle Against the Suburban Grain

By Vincent Canby

• Aug. 16, 1989

Uncle Buck (John Candy) is the sort of character that no American suburb should be without. Everything about him offends middle-class manners, fashions and aspirations. Though his ancient automobile needs a muffler and travels around in its own permanent cloud of exhaust smoke, Uncle Buck is a breath of fresh air.

Aside from making a deal here and there, and going to the racetrack, Uncle Buck does not believe in work. He favors cigars that reek and wears clothes that don't match, either him or each other. He is the embodiment of all things uncouth that people in the suburbs hope they have left somewhere else.

In ''Uncle Buck,'' which opens today at the Warner and other theaters, John Hughes has had the good sitcom idea of placing Uncle Buck in the middle of an ideal suburb (actually, Winnetka, Ill.), in the middle of Mr. Hughes's idea of an average American family. The results are sometimes funny and, in the way of small-screen entertainment, so perfectly predictable that one could mail in the laughs.

When his brother and sister-in-law are called away to Indianapolis, Uncle Buck leaves his gloriously slobbish existence in Chicago to take care of his two nieces and nephew. The two younger children, Miles (Macauly Culkin) and Maizy (Gaby Hoffman) are at first shocked by his unconventional ways and then delighted.

The older child, Tia (Jean Kelly), is a teen-age beauty alienated from her parents. She is alternately mortified by Uncle Buck's crude ways and furious at his meddling in her romance with a boy who's up to no good. You don't need a diagram to know how that will come out.

As in ''War and Peace,'' it's not the plot that counts. In ''Uncle Buck'' it's watching Mr. Candy dealing with a clown who arrives for Miles's birthday party drunk and driving a Volkswagen equipped with large mouse ears. ''In the field of live home entertainment,'' says the clown, ''I am a god.'' Says Uncle Buck, ''Get in your mouse and leave.''

Mr. Candy is at his best when he is being crafty and, at the beginning, downright nasty to the children. So is the film. When ''Uncle Buck'' goes sweet (complete with Chaplinesque music), fun flees. ''Uncle Buck'' is a movie in which saying ''I love you'' to Mom or Dad or Uncle Buck solves all problems except, perhaps, acid rain.

Although Mr. Hughes has had huge success with his theatrical movies about teen-agers (''Sixteen Candles,'' ''Ferris Buehler's Day Off,'' among others), he may be the first real auteur of television-style entertainment.

He knows exactly what he's doing and does it with attention to obligatory detail. The exterior of a house in a Hughes film immediately establishes the sappy nature of the characters within as well as the kind of movie it is. He can write funny lines. He comes up with engagingly absurd situations. Yet there is something unnerving about the way he denatures real life.

One doesn't notice this in the limited confines of the small screen. In a movie theater, too many Hughes images are simply big and empty. They are filler material. Dead. Though he likes to shoot on location, the world he records seems phony or, at best, consistently trivial.

The cast is good, especially Miss Kelly, who not only looks great but who may also be an actress in the making. Amy Madigan does well in the fairly abbreviated role of Uncle Buck's steady if impatient female friend. It is Mr. Candy who gives the film what heft it has. He is an entertaining performer through thick and mostly thin.

''Uncle Buck,'' which has been rated PG (''parental guidance suggested'') contains vulgar language. If You're Feeling Blue, Just Say, 'I Love You' UNCLE BUCK, written and directed by John Hughes; director of photography, Ralf Bode; edited by Lou Lombardo, Tony Lombardo and Peck Prior; music by Ira Newborn; production designer, John W. Corso; produced by Mr. Hughes and Tom Jacobson; released by Universal Studios. At the Warner, Broadway and 43d Street; the Manhattan Twin, 59th Street at Third Avenue; running time: 95 minutes. This film is rated PG. Uncle BuckJohn Candy Tia RussellJean Kelly Maizy RusselGaby Hoffman Miles RussellMacaulay Culkin Chanice KobolowskiAmy Madigan MCAd(Universal Studios)

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‘Uncle Buck’ review

Cindy (Elaine Bromka) and Bob Russell (Garrett M. Brown) receive an urgent phonecall and have to make a trip to visit a family member in the hospital. Realising the urgency of the situation, they struggle to find a babysitter for their three kids Tia (Jean Louisa Kelly), Maizy (Gaby Hoffman) and Miles (Macaulay Culkin). Bob suggests his brother Buck (John Candy) and while Cindy’s not crazy on the idea, she relents when she realises it’s their only option. Buck, an unemployed and irresponsible man, arrives at the house and chaos ensues as he tries to prove he can be responsible.

‘Uncle Buck’ is a classic John Hughes movie from 1989 and it’s one I remember very fondly from my childhood. A comedy with a big heart, the film is essentially about a man who refuses to grow up but is forced to do so when he’s unexpectedly called up to look after his nieces and nephew. We get a glimpse at the chaos and disorder of Buck’s life at the beginning of the film as he lets his girlfriend Chanice (Amy Madigan) down by snubbing her job offer in favour of babysitting for his brother.

Buck’s attempt to win over his relatives doesn’t go as smoothly as he expects. Maizy and Miles love their carefree and silly uncle, fascinated by his methods of completing household chores such as microwaving the washing, while Tia is older and rebels against the uncle she barely knows. As Tia pursues a relationship with Bug (Jay Underwood), she does everything she can to annoy, undermine and humiliate her uncle. The power struggle between the two characters provides some of the film’s best moments and their eventual friendship is a satisfying resolution for the characters.

John Candy is the star of the film and his sense of comedic timing and natural charm reminds you just how sorely missed he is. No other comedy actor came close to him in the 80s and 90s, and paired with the incredible John Hughes, he was unstoppable. Uncle Buck was the perfect role for Candy enabling him to make you laugh and also feel a little warm and fuzzy. There’s a brilliant supporting turn from Laurie Metcalf too as nosy neighbour Marcie who sets her sights on Buck without stopping to consider he might not want to reciprocate her advances.

This new Blu-ray edition looks fantastic and it’s the best version of ‘Uncle Buck’ I’ve ever seen. The picture is crystal clear and looks very clean on the screen. It’s a real joy to watch a film I remember so fondly in HD and this is without a doubt the definitive version.

‘Uncle Buck’ is hilarious and it packs a lot of heart too. It’s a classic fish-out-of-water comedy with a stellar cast and strong direction from Hughes, who also wrote the screenplay. It started the careers of Macaulay Culkin and Gaby Hoffman, and it’s a welcome excuse to revisit the 80s when comedies concentrated on being heartwarming and funny, rather than shoving an agenda down your throat.

Cast: John Candy, Jean Louisa Kelly, Gaby Hoffman, Macaulay Culkin, Amy Madigan, Elaine Bromka, Garrett M. Brown, Laurie Metcalf, Jay Underwood Director: John Hughes Writer: John Hughes Certificate: 12 Duration: 100 mins Released by: Fabulous Films Ltd / Fremantle Media Enterprises Release date: 28 th September 2020 Buy ‘Uncle Buck’

[rwp-reviewer-rating-stars id=”0″]

• Amy Madigan
• Elaine Bromka
• Gaby Hoffman
• Garrett M. Brown
• Jean Louisa Kelly
• John Hughes
• Laurie Metcalf
• Macaulay Culkin

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Uncle Buck Reviews

Uncle Buck accumulates too much bile and the formula falls apart. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Jul 11, 2022

Wickedly underplayed, the role of Uncle Buck allows the adroit comic actor to blend physical comedy with small moments of tender reflection.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Aug 17, 2021

...Hughes and Candy may take a sloppy, anything-goes approach here, but it works...

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 16, 2021

The supposedly sweet domestic comedy hits too many sour notes to remain in tune, even if always competent.

Full Review | Original Score: C+ | Apr 27, 2017

One of the many excellent family films from director and writer John Hughes...

Full Review | Dec 23, 2012

It's not John Hughes's best film, but it could be his funniest, as well as his saddest.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Mar 20, 2012

There isn't much to love about the movie besides Candy's excellent performance.

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Nov 6, 2011

...an agreeable comedy that benefits substantially from Hughes' undeniable gift for seamlessly blending laughs with drama.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Feb 7, 2011

The Candy man can make this iffy movie taste good.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 15, 2010

It's a goofy movie, but also extraordinarily sly, unafraid to permit generous screentime to bizarre jokes and situations of slack guardian supervision.

Full Review | Original Score: A | Aug 26, 2009

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Oct 27, 2006

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 3, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 1, 2005

Probably Candy's finest role.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 20, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jun 24, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 6, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 30, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 22, 2003

John Candy, John Hughes, precocious kids. Deadly.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Feb 12, 2003

Very cute comedy starring the late great John Candy at his most huggable best.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 10, 2003

Movie Reviews : ‘Uncle Buck’: John Hughes’ Valentine to Teenhood

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In “Uncle Buck” (citywide), writer-director John Hughes has devised a plot with which to fuse his two genres of choice: the clashing-family-members comedy and the tortured-teen pic.

John Candy, the titular behemoth, is the eccentric relative from blue-collar hell that no one loves (yet); when he’s called in to baby-sit his stuffed-shirt brother’s three progeny for a few days, the younger tykes take a back seat while Buck establishes an adversarial, then intimate, relationship with his troubled 15-year-old niece. At heart, it’s really another one of Hughes’ undisguised valentines to teenhood.

The overriding philosophy of most of the Hughes canon is simple: Kids are good, grown-ups aren’t. But there’s a little more to it than that. Corollary No. 1: Grown-ups can be good if they act like kids--hence the spontaneous charm of Uncle Buck, who feeds beer and pretzels to the family dog and who vacuums his own girth after a spirited session of raw Frosted Flakes consumption.

Corollary No. 2: Kids can be bad if they act like adults--hence the initial villainy of his niece Tia (Jean Kelly, seemingly reprising Jennifer Grey’s snotty sister character in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”), who initially attacks her keeper as an unsophisticated boob and who is trying to prove her maturity through premature sexual behavior. Uncle Buck takes up the formidable challenge of protecting her virginity, mostly through threatening her no-good boyfriend with hatchets and power drills.

Herein lies the biggest chasm between Hughes and other teen-film makers: Much as he puts impetuous adolescence on a pedestal, he tends to see sex as a threat to the young, not as a release or rite of passage. Sex is what accelerates their procession into the world of adult relationships with all the accompanying lies and rationalizations and masks. Hughes may stick Tone Loc’s rap hit about engaging in the “Wild Thing” on the sound track, but he really wants his kids to just say no.

The problem with this is that we know from the outset--especially if we’re familiar with Hughes’ work--just how tidily all this will turn out. He can be surprisingly daring in introducing bits and pieces of tense domestic turmoil into his comedies, and this one is no exception. (Lou Lombardo, Tony Lombardo and Peck Prior did the editing, which nicely mixes tight comedic gag timing with an unusually relaxed, dramatic narrative pace.) But Hughes is usually too busy steering toward a neat, happy ending to let the intimations of nuclear family breakdowns have any real emotional sway.

Finally, “Uncle Buck” (MPAA-rated PG) has a medium-level Hughes script, only about half as good as “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” about 50 times as good as “The Great Outdoors.” Before things go all awry in the final stretch, which has Buck patching things up with long-suffering gal pal Amy Madigan as well as with his family, there are some hysterical bits along the way. Not the least of these is the sight of a closed-eyed Candy scratching the family dog on the stomach and jerking his own leg in an involuntary sympathetic response, or asking his nervous sister-in-law as she leaves whether there’s a plunger in the house, or 8-year-old Macaulay Culkin’s deadpan Joe Friday imitation.

To get to the chuckles, most of which are well-executed, you have to wade through some of Hughes’ favorite stereotypes, like the positively evil vice principal at the little girl’s elementary school who calls Buck’s niece “a dreamer, a silly heart.” Much has been made of the autobiographical aspects of Hughes’ “She’s Having a Baby,” but bits of this would seem even more so: Candy--who has never been more likable--is absolutely the director’s stand-in as he rails against this nasty authority figure, saying, “You so much scowl at my niece or any other kid in this school and I’ll come looking for you.” Like Buck’s nieces and nephews, the young of America have a cinematic champion and protector.

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• User reviews

• Laid back commitment-phobe Buck babysits his brother's rebellious teenage daughter and her cute younger brother and sister.
• As an idle but good-natured commitment-phobe, Buck Russell is the last person you would think of to watch his brother Bob's three children. However, during a family crisis, he is suddenly left in charge of them. Unaccustomed to suburban life, he soon charms Miles and Maizy with his hefty cooking and his new way of doing the laundry. His carefree style does not impress everyone though - especially his rebellious teenage niece, Tia, and impatient girlfriend, Chanice. With a little bit of luck and a lot of love, he manages to surprise everyone in this heartwarming family comedy. — edward-fraraccio
• Bob and Cindy Russell have a dilemma: Cindy's father, who lives far away, is sick and they need to go see him. However, who will look after their three children for the several days while they are away? Out of desperation they turn to someone whom they have grave reservations about in terms of his suitability for the job: Bob's good-natured but layabout brother, Buck. — grantss
• Buck Russell has a reputation for being unreliable and a bit of a house wrecker. It is therefore with reluctance, his brother, Bob, and sister-in-law, Cindy, agrees to leave Buck looking after their three children (a rebellious teenager and two harmless youngsters) when they visits Cindy's sick father. — Rob Hartill
• Buck Russell is not the most reliable and trustworthy person around. When his brother Bob and sister-in-law Cindy ask him as a last resort to babysit their three children, he agrees to fill in while they go to Indianapolis to visit Cindy's sick father. While at the house Buck does his usual routines; going bowling and smoking cigars. Yet the longer he's around little Miles and Maizy and the more he witnesses teenage Tia getting manipulated by her boyfriend, Bug, the more he learns responsibility and that there's more to life than just lazing about having fun. — commanderblue
• In the Chicago suburbs, Tia, Miles and Maizy Russell return home after a day of school. With their parents Bob and Cindy at work, Tia is in charge of her younger brother and sister. Tia also resents her parents' absence and the family's recent move to Illinois from Indianapolis. At the same time, tensions arise between Bob's brother, Buck, and his girlfriend, Chanice when they discuss Buck's impending first day of work at Chanice's tire store. Buck assures her that he will be at work in the morning; however, that night, Bob receive a phone call from Cindy's aunt informing them that Cindy's father has suffered a heart attack. Bob and Cindy make arrangements to head back to Indianapolis while also attempting to find a suitable babysitter for the kids. Only after every friend and neighbor proves unavailable, Cindy reluctantly agrees to allow Buck to watch the children. Buck also agrees because it will get him out of working for Chanice, and when he reaches his brother's house, he assures Cindy that he will take great care of the kids. With a sitter in place, Bob and Cindy head to the airport as Buck settles in. While Miles and Maizy take a liking to their uncle and his frank, fun-loving demeanor, Tia greets him with cold silence and is embarrassed when Buck drops her off at school. Buck spends the day wrestling with the washing machine and dealing with an eccentric neighbor, Marcy, who is unaware of Cindy and Bob's departure. That afternoon when Buck goes to pick her up, he discovers Tia and her boyfriend, Bug, kissing, who Buck takes an instant disliking to. Rather than allowing Tia to go out with Bug that night, Buck takes the whole family to a local bowling alley. He makes plans to bet on an upcoming horse race, hoping to win enough to allow him to lay off working the rest of the year. The following evening, Tia attends an outdoor party in the woods with Bug. Buck interrupts them, boasts of his skills with a hatchet, and grabs one from his trunk. He succeeds in scaring Bug but only strengthens Tia's resolve to stay with Bug. Buck's relationship with Chanice is further complicated when Tia tells Chanice, as an act of revenge, that Buck is cheating on her with next-door-neighbor, Marcy. Buck re-evaluates bachelorhood as he grows closer to the children and takes on domestic chores. While Buck washes laundry in the sink and dries it in the microwave, Marcy stops by and tries to get Buck to dance with her in the living room. Just then, Chanice discovers the couple, seemingly confirming Tia's accusations. Buck gets drunk, that night, to drown his sorrows and looks forward to winning at the race track the next day. However, when it is time to depart for the track, Tia is nowhere to be found. When the children divulge that she has left for a weekend party with Bug, Buck, in a fit of desperation, realizes he has no one to babysit while he goes to the track. After agonizing about taking the kids with him, Buck decides he cannot put them in that position. Instead, he calls Chanice and asks her to put her feelings aside and watch the children while he looks for Tia. Buck combs the neighborhood until he finds the house where the party takes place. Breaking into an upstairs room with a drill, Buck discovers Bug on a bed with another girl. Soon after, driving the streets, Buck finds Tia walking home. When she realizes Buck knows what occurred, the two have a heart-to-heart talk and Buck reveals that he has Bug in the trunk of his car. After forcing Bug to apologize to Tia, Buck lets him go, but sets down a golf ball and hits Bug on the head as he runs into the woods with a five-iron drive. Back home, Tia confesses to Chanice that she lied about Buck's flirtation with Marcy. Buck and Chanice make up, and the next morning Bob and Cindy return home to a repentant Tia and an uncle who departs as a valued member of the family.

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Movie Review

US Release Date: 08-16-1989

Directed by: John Hughes

Starring ▸ ▾

• John Candy ,  as
• Buck Russell
• Jean Louisa Kelly ,  as
• Tia Russell
• Gaby Hoffmann ,  as
• Maizy Russell
• Macaulay Culkin ,  as
• Miles Russell
• Amy Madigan ,  as
• Chanice Kobolowski
• Elaine Bromka ,  as
• Cindy Russell
• Garrett M. Brown ,  as
• Bob Russell
• Laurie Metcalf ,  as
• Marcie Dahlgren-Frost
• Jay Underwood ,  as
• Brian Tarantina ,  as
• E. Roger Coswell
• Mike Starr ,  as
• Pooter-the-Clown
• Suzanne Shepherd ,  as
• Mrs. Horgarth
• Anna Chlumsky as
• School Child

John Candy cooks breakfast as Uncle Buck .

Uncle Buck is a feel good comedy from writer/director John Hughes. It stars John Candy in the title role as the slovenly but kindhearted uncle who agrees to babysit his brother's children while his brother and his brother's wife are out of town dealing with a family emergency. Uncle Buck bonds immediately with the two youngest kids Miles and Maizy but is quickly engaged in a battle of wills with his oldest niece Tia. She's fifteen and going through a rebellious phase.

This is the movie that put nine year old Macaulay Culkin on the map. His most famous scene is where he interrogates Uncle Buck by asking him a string of questions. It ends with him saying, “I'm a kid - that's my job.” Within a few years Culkin would be the most successful child actor in Hollywood since Shirley Temple. Although she would go on to a more modest movie career, Gaby Hoffmann is equally precocious as Maizy, the youngest of the Russell children.

The real meat of the story concerns Buck's relationship with Tia. He is able to understand her and deal with her in a way her parent's can't. And, more importantly, he understands the mind of Tia's boyfriend Bug. He tells Tia that Bug is just looking for sex. She sarcastically asks how he knows that and the wise Uncle Buck replies, “When I was his age, I was a guy zooming girls like you. Pretty face, good chip on your shoulder.” He isn't afraid to cause a scene in order to embarrass Tia into behaving and following his rules. By the end of the movie of course they've become fast friends.

Buck also provides much fun for the younger Russell kids. He makes huge pancakes for breakfast (see photo) and later deals hilariously with an inebriated clown. There really isn't any situation Uncle Buck cannot handle. John Candy was a brilliant, brilliant comic. He was always so likable even when acting selfishly. He was also able to create pathos like the great silent clowns. You really feel for Buck whenever his feelings get hurt. And watch his timing on the phone when he can't finish a sentence.  It's masterful.

Candy's natural talents are enhanced by John Hughes' script. He wrote great dialogue and could be both heartwarming and bitingly funny in the same conversation. In one scene Uncle Buck goes to speak with an assistant principal at Maizy's school, a woman with a large, ugly mole on her chin. After Anita Horgarth (the assistant principal) tells Buck that Maizy isn't applying herself enough in class Buck tells her, “I don't think I want to know a six-year-old who isn't a dreamer, or a sillyheart. And I sure don't want to know one who takes their student career seriously.” Before exiting the room he delivers the movie's funniest line, “Take this quarter, go downtown, and have a rat gnaw that thing off your face! Good day to you, madam.”

Uncle Buck is a classic 1980's comedy by that decade's quintessential Hollywood filmmaker. It provided John Candy with the most iconic role of his career and helped launch Macaulay Culkin into superstardom. Amy Madigan and Laurie Metcalf are both good in small roles. On a personal note, this movie always reminds me of my oldest brother Tony. It is one of his favorite movies and he has always been a bit of the “Uncle Buck” in our family.

John Candy as Uncle Buck.

John Hughes was one of the best at combining comedy and sentiment in films. In his best films, he could make some of the most overdone sappiness and make it palatable by balancing it with laugh out loud humor. Uncle Buck , while not his greatest film, is a perfect example of this style of filmmaking.

Much of the humor in the film is provided by Buck's relationship with the two youngest kids. Culkin is a scene stealer as Miles. His antics here are a precursor to his work in the Hughes penned Home Alone . Gaby Hoffman is adorable as little Maizy. Her career wouldn't have the skyrocket arc of Culkin's but in 1989 she was having a very good year with this film and Field of Dreams where she again appeared with Amy Madigan.

The heart of the film comes from Buck's dealing with Tia, played by Jean Louisa Kelly. Tia is defensive and guarded, but Buck manages to win her affection by sheer persistence and by giving her the attention she so clearly desires. This would be Kelly's biggest film role, but she has worked steadily ever since including parts on Broadway and a starring role on the sitcom  Yes, Dear , which ran for six years on CBS.

As good as the kids are though, this is John Candy's movie. Candy had worked with Hughes previously on Planes, Trains and Automobiles and the two obviously worked well together. One of Candy's great talents is one that Patrick mentioned. No matter how slovenly or irresponsible, he always remains likable. It's no wonder that he gets along so well with the little children when he seems like a child himself at times. This is by no means a drama, but Candy manages to convey in a few small moments some genuine emotion that gives the film its heart.

There was an aborted attempt in the 1990s to turn this film into a television series, but without the participation of Candy, Hughes or any of the children from the film. Predictably, the series was a flop. It was crazy to think it could be anything else when you've removed the things that made the original so special in the first place.

Macaulay Culkin, Jean Louisa Kelly, John Candy and Gaby Hoffman in Uncle Buck

I first saw Uncle Buck years ago with my wife. We found it to be a very heartwarming family friendly comedy. Watching it today, I still enjoyed the lighter moments but was much more struck by the details of the family dynamics.

Buck is not at all close to his brother’s family. Clearly Bob and Buck used to be close. When Bob needs help he thinks of Buck. When Buck gets the call he does not hesitate to help. The problem is that Bob’s wife Cindy and Buck do not get along. The movie never explains why but it seems to have been a long time in the making. Can you imagine how difficult it is to have your wife and brother, both of whom you love, not get along?

Another issue in the family is that Cindy and her daughter Tia cannot see eye to eye. Tia resents her parents because she feels that they moved them away without considering her happiness. She believes it is because they got better paying jobs. The movie is told from hers and Buck’s perspective, so we do not always learn all the details.

Buck unintentionally acts like a therapist for the family. He does not put up with Tia’s teenage attitude. It is not that he understands her better than her parents, they were teenagers once as well, it is that he takes the time to listen to her. Tia is unhappy with decisions her parents have made, giving Buck the challenge of teaching Tia that the world does not revolve around her. Basically, by showing her that he cares, she learns to care about others.

The result of Buck taking care of his nieces and nephew impresses his on again/off again girlfriend Chanice. Whereas she always found him unreliable, his dedication to his extended family shows her just how loyal and amazing a person he can be. Buck not only helps his brother’s family, he helps himself.

Although it is not the point of the film, I would have personally liked a scene where Buck and Bob share a moment at the end. Bob knew it was going to be an issue between him and his wife to have Buck babysit. Buck coming through for them is clearly the beginning of a new understanding with his sister-in-law and a closer relationship with Bob.

Photos © Copyright Universal PicturesHughes Entertainment (1989)

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uncle buck (1989)

As an idle, good-natured bachelor, Uncle Buck is the last person you would think of to watch the kids. However, during a family crisis, he is suddenly left in charge of his nephew and nieces. Unaccustomed to suburban life, fun-loving Uncle Buck soon charms his younger relatives Miles and Maizy with his hefty cooking and his new way of doing the laundry. His carefree style does not impress everyone though - especially his rebellious teenage niece, Tia, and his impatient girlfriend, Chanice. With a little bit of luck and a lot of love, Uncle Buck manages to surprise everyone in this heartwarming family comedy.

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43 Facts About The Movie Uncle Buck

Written by Anallise Dearman

Modified & Updated: 19 May 2024

Reviewed by Sherman Smith

Uncle Buck is a beloved comedy film that has captivated audiences since its release in 1989. Directed by John Hughes, the film stars the iconic John Candy in the title role of Uncle Buck. With its hilarious storyline and unforgettable characters, Uncle Buck has become a staple in the world of comedy movies. In this article, we will dive into 43 fascinating facts about Uncle Buck, shedding light on behind-the-scenes moments, interesting trivia, and little-known details about the making of this cinematic gem. From the casting choices to the filming locations, from the memorable quotes to the box office success, we will explore every aspect of Uncle Buck and give you an inside look at what went on both on and off the screen. So, let’s jump right in and uncover some intriguing facts about the movie Uncle Buck!

Key Takeaways:

• Uncle Buck is a heartwarming and hilarious classic that showcases the comedic genius of John Candy. Its timeless humor and relatable characters make it a must-watch for the whole family.
• The film’s enduring legacy and cultural impact prove that embracing individuality and unconventional family dynamics can lead to heartwarming and memorable storytelling.

Casting Coincidences

John Candy and director John Hughes had previously worked together on several films, including Planes , Trains, and Automobiles. When Candy was cast as Uncle Buck, it was a perfect fit considering his comedic talents and chemistry with Hughes.

Inspired by Real-Life Events

Uncle Buck was inspired by a real-life incident where John Hughes’ friend asked him to babysit, despite knowing nothing about taking care of children. This experience served as the initial spark for the film’s premise.

A Box Office Success

Uncle Buck was a commercial success, grossing over $66 million at the box office against a budget of $15 million. It remains one of John Candy’s most memorable and beloved films.

Hughes’ Tribute to His Childhood

Writer-director John Hughes based the film’s suburban Chicago setting on his own childhood neighborhood. He wanted to capture the essence of growing up in the Midwest during the 1950s and 1960s.

A Lasting Legacy

Uncle Buck has become a cultural touchstone, with its memorable characters and quotable lines still resonating with audiences today. It has achieved the status of a beloved comedy classic .

John Candy’s Improvisation

John Candy was known for his improvisational skills, and he put them to good use in Uncle Buck. Many of his witty and funny lines in the film were improvised on set, adding to its natural charm.

Hughes’ Multiple Roles

In addition to writing and directing Uncle Buck, John Hughes also has a small cameo in the film as a parent waiting outside the school. This was a common practice for Hughes, who often appeared in his own movies.

The Casting Process

The casting process for the kids in Uncle Buck was a rigorous one. Director John Hughes wanted to find children who not only had acting ability but also had a natural rapport with John Candy.

Interactions with Kids

John Candy went out of his way to bond with the child actors on set, even taking them out for pizza and ice cream. This helped create a genuine family dynamic that shines through in the film.

A Breakout Role

Uncle Buck marked one of Macaulay Culkin’s breakout roles as Miles, the mischievous and quick-witted younger brother. The film showcased Culkin’s natural talent and charisma, leading to his later success in Home Alone .

A Memorable Soundtrack

The film’s soundtrack features the iconic song “Twist and Shout ” by The Beatles, which plays during the memorable kitchen dance scene. This moment has since become one of the most beloved scenes in the movie.

Filming Locations

The location for the exterior shots of the Russell family’s suburban house was in Evanston , Illinois. The city provided the perfect backdrop for the film’s quintessential suburban setting.

Behind-the-Scenes Bonding

The cast of Uncle Buck developed a close bond off-screen, frequently hanging out together during breaks in filming. This camaraderie can be seen in their performances, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the movie.

The ’57 Chevy

In the film, Buck Russell drives a beat-up 1957 Chevy Bel Air. This vintage car became synonymous with Uncle Buck and is now recognized as one of the iconic symbols of the movie.

Gleaming Reviews

Uncle Buck received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising John Candy’s performance. They commended the film’s ability to balance humor with heartwarming moments, making it an enjoyable watch for all ages.

‘Bachelorette Party’ Connection

The film features a small connection to another John Hughes movie. In one scene, Buck is seen watching a scene from Bachelorette Party, another film written by Hughes.

Quick Thinking

In one memorable scene, Buck uses pancake batter and a snow shovel to make a giant pancake for breakfast . The scene was performed by John Candy, who had to execute the stunt seamlessly in just one take.

The Original Title

The original title of the film was “Uncle Buck and the Martians.” Thankfully, it was changed to the simpler and catchier “Uncle Buck.”

Audience Favorite

Uncle Buck has become a favorite among audiences of all ages. Its mix of comedy, heart, and relatable characters has ensured its enduring popularity over the years.

A Quote-worthy Film

The film is packed with memorable quotes, from Buck’s famous line “I’m Buck Melanoma!” to his advice to the school principal about a “Mole-like object” on his face. These quotes have become iconic parts of the film’s legacy.

Hughes’ Attention to Detail

John Hughes was known for his attention to detail, and Uncle Buck is no exception. He carefully handpicked each prop and set piece to create a visually authentic representation of a suburban household in the 1980s.

Positive Family Values

Uncle Buck promotes positive family values and teaches important life lessons while keeping audiences entertained. The film explores themes of forgiveness, compassion, and the importance of being there for one another.

A Memorable Marriage Proposal

Buck’s girlfriend Chanice, played by Amy Madigan, proposes to him in one of the film’s most heartwarming scenes. Their unconventional proposal showcases the unique bond and love they share.

Smooth Sailing

Despite its success, Uncle Buck faced little controversy or censorship issues upon release. The film’s humor and themes appealed to a wide audience, making it a safe and enjoyable watch for all.

Iconic Poster

The film’s poster features John Candy’s face peeking over a giant baby’s diaper. This image has become synonymous with Uncle Buck and is instantly recognizable to fans of the movie.

Sequel Possibilities

Rumors of a sequel to Uncle Buck have circulated over the years, but as of now, no official plans have been made. However, fans continue to hold out hope for a potential return to the beloved characters and story .

Inspiration for Future Films

Uncle Buck’s success and enduring popularity influenced other filmmakers and writers to create similar movies centered around unconventional and lovable characters. Its influence can be seen in films such as Mrs. Doubtfire and Big Daddy .

A Heartwarming Climax

The film’s climax sees Buck stepping up as a responsible guardian and saving his niece from a dangerous situation. This heroic act showcases Buck’s growth throughout the film and solidifies his place as a beloved character.

A Successful Comedy Formula

Uncle Buck follows the tried-and-true formula of blending heartwarming moments with hilarious comedy. John Hughes had a knack for creating films that tugged at the heartstrings while keeping audiences in stitches.

Audience Connection

Many viewers can relate to the characters and situations depicted in Uncle Buck, making the film even more enjoyable. It taps into universal themes of family, responsibility, and the challenges of growing up.

Critical Reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics upon release, with some praising its comedic moments and performances while others felt it was formulaic. However, over time, Uncle Buck has gained a strong following and garnered appreciation for its timeless humor.

Cultural Impact

Uncle Buck has left a lasting cultural impact, with references to the film appearing in various other forms of media. It has become a recognizable pop culture reference and remains an essential part of ‘ 80s cinema .

Overcoming Stereotypes

Uncle Buck challenges stereotypes by portraying its characters in a nuanced and sympathetic light. It breaks away from traditional family film tropes, showing that even unconventional guardians can step up and make a positive impact.

A Versatile Performer

John Candy’s portrayal of Uncle Buck showcases his comedic timing and versatility as an actor. He effortlessly transitions from being a lovable goofball to a caring and responsible family member.

Real-World Connection

The struggles Buck faces in Uncle Buck are relatable to many people who have found themselves in unexpected caregiving roles. The film explores the challenges and rewards of taking on responsibility for loved ones.

Memorable Supporting Characters

In addition to the main cast, Uncle Buck features memorable supporting characters, including Tia’s boyfriend Bug and the quirky and eccentric neighbors, the Russell’s portrays Buck as the black sheep of the family.

A Beloved Family Film

Uncle Buck is a film that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Its humor appeals to both children and adults, making it a perfect choice for a family movie night.

A Lesson in Acceptance

The film teaches viewers the importance of accepting people for who they are, flaws and all. It shows that true family love and support can come from unexpected sources.

A Reminder of John Candy’s Talent

Uncle Buck serves as a reminder of John Candy’s immense comedic talent and his ability to bring characters to life. His performance continues to bring joy to audiences even decades after the film’s release.

The Power of Laughter

Uncle Buck demonstrates the power of comedy to bring people together and create shared memories. Its timeless humor ensures that it will continue to make audiences laugh for generations to come.

Embracing Unconventionality

The film’s central theme is embracing one’s own unique quirks and idiosyncrasies. Uncle Buck celebrates individuality and shows that being different can be a positive attribute.

The Legacy of John Hughes

John Hughes is known for his ability to capture the essence of suburban life and create relatable characters. Uncle Buck is just one example of his talent for crafting memorable stories with heart and humor.

An Enduring Classic

Uncle Buck continues to be celebrated as a timeless classic that continues to entertain audiences of all ages. Its blend of comedy, heart, and memorable characters ensures its place in cinema history.

In conclusion, “Uncle Buck” is a timeless classic that continues to capture the hearts of audiences with its hilarious and heartwarming story. It showcases the comedic genius of John Candy and the exceptional directing skills of John Hughes. The film’s memorable characters, witty dialogue, and heartwarming moments have made it a beloved favorite among moviegoers of all ages. Whether you’ve seen it multiple times or are just discovering it for the first time, “Uncle Buck” is sure to entertain and leave you with a smile on your face.

Q: Who stars in the movie “Uncle Buck”?

A: The movie stars the late John Candy as the titular character, Uncle Buck. It also features Jean Louisa Kelly, Macaulay Culkin , and Amy Madigan in prominent roles.

Q: Is “Uncle Buck” based on a true story?

A: No, “Uncle Buck” is not based on a true story. It is a fictional comedy film written and directed by John Hughes.

Q: When was “Uncle Buck” released?

A: “Uncle Buck” was released on August 16, 1989.

Q: Where was “Uncle Buck” filmed?

A: The film was primarily shot in Chicago, Illinois .

Q: Does “Uncle Buck” have any sequels?

A: No, “Uncle Buck” does not have any official sequels. However, there was a short-lived television series adaptation that aired in 1990.

Q: What is the runtime of “Uncle Buck”?

A: The runtime of “Uncle Buck” is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Q: Is “Uncle Buck” suitable for children?

A: “Uncle Buck” is generally considered suitable for older children and teenagers. It contains some comedic and mild adult themes.

Q: Did “Uncle Buck” receive any awards or nominations?

A: While “Uncle Buck” did not receive any major award nominations, it has gained a significant following and is widely regarded as a classic comedy.

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8 Best Macaulay Culkin Movies, Ranked

Macaulay Culkin was one of the biggest child stars during the 1990s and gained fame in family comedies and coming-of-age films such as Home Alone , Uncle Buck , and My Girl . Born in New York, Culkin began his acting career at the impressive age of four years old and, after starring in several popular stage productions and earning minor television roles, he made his feature film debut in the 1988 drama, Rocket Gibraltar . Culkin earned his breakthrough role as the mischievous troublemaker, Kevin McCallister in the Christmas classic, Home Alone , and essentially became an overnight sensation.

Culkin continued to star in comedies but also moved into more serious roles, most notably the horror mystery film, The Good Son , alongside fellow child actor and The Lord of the Rings star, Elijah Wood . By the mid-1990s, Culkin was universally recognized for his immense talent and iconic roles, and while he starred in a string of films throughout his career, some brilliantly demonstrate the young star's vast abilities as a performer, establishing himself as one of the greatest child actors of all time.

'Richie Rich' (1994)

Director: donald petrie.

Culkin stars as the young sophisticated Richie Rich who, despite having everything a kid could ever want in the world, plus devoted parents, doesn't have very many friends. When his parents are kidnapped, Rich enlists a group of kids to help him find his parents and bring their kidnapper to justice. As they follow the clues and potential suspects, Rich finally finds friendship to fill the void in his life and eventually rescues his parents.

The family comedy, Richie Rich , is based on the classic comic book character by the same name created by Alfred Harvey and Warren Kremer and marked Culkin's final film as a child actor. Culkin fits effortlessly into the role of the wealthy, cheeky heir who, much like his other film roles, gives a mature but comical performance . Richie Rich was met with mixed reviews, but a majority of critics praised Culkin for his portrayal of the established character. Film critic, Roger Ebert , gave the film three out of four stars, noting how the film featured an authentic style and steered clear of cheap payoffs.

Rent on Amazon Prime

'The Pagemaster' (1994)

Directors: pixote hunt & john johnston.

Richard Tyler is an overly cautious kid whose fears keep him from enjoying activities and socializing with other kids his age. When Tyler is caught in a severe thunderstorm, he seeks shelter in the local library, where he meets a mysterious librarian, Mr. Dewey ( Christopher Lloyd ), who tries to encourage him to explore the vast shelves filled with books. Before Tyler can call his parents to pick him up, he slips and falls, waking up to a world full of fantasy, adventure, and horror that changes his life forever.

The Pagemaster is a thrilling live-action animated adventure that also features the voice talents of Whoopi Goldberg , Patrick Stewart , and Leonard Nimoy . The film initially begins as a live-action film, but as Culkin's character is transported to a world full of classic tales like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Treasure Island , the film turns into an animated spectacle that is simply one of a kind. Voice acting isn't as easy as some may think and, for a child actor, Culkin is fantastic and continues to consistently convey the formula of his character without becoming lost in the fantasy of the animation .

'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York' (1992)

Director: chris columbus.

A year after accidentally leaving their son, Kevin, behind at home, the McCallister family has planned to spend Christmas in sunny Florida and even though Kevin manages to make it to the airport, he somehow ends up on the wrong flight and finds himself in New York City. Initially, Kevin is living the dream and surprisingly handles the situation with ease, but when he runs into his old friends and escaped criminals, the Wet Bandits ( Joe Pesci , Daniel Stern ), his vacation takes a dangerous turn.

Culkin reprises his role as the quick-witted Kevin McCallister in the sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York , which also stars Tim Curry in one of his best performances , Rob Schnieder , and Eddie Bracken . While the second film follows almost the same blueprint as the first film, it still takes advantage of a new setting where Culkin's character has no trouble finding his way around the busy Big Apple. Culkin gives an excellent follow-up performance, still embodying Kevin's lovable humor and redeeming charm that makes him one of the most memorable film characters of the 1990s .

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

One year after Kevin McCallister was left home alone and had to defeat a pair of bumbling burglars, he accidentally finds himself stranded in New York City - and the same criminals are not far behind.

Release Date November 19, 1992

Director Chris Columbus

Cast John Heard, Devin Ratray, Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O'Hara

Runtime 120

Main Genre Adventure

Watch on Disney+

'The Good Son' (1993)

Director: joseph ruben.

After losing his mother, Mark (Elijah Wood) is sent to live with his aunt and uncle in Maine until his father returns home from a business trip in Japan. While there, Mark spends much of his time with his cousin, Henry, who, by all accounts, appears to be a normal twelve-year-old boy, but when Henry exhibits disturbing behavior, Mark becomes on edge. After a supposed accident on an icy pond with Henry's little sister, Mark tries to warn his aunt and uncle about Henry before it's too late.

Culkin takes on an against-type role in the psychological thriller, The Good Son , where he plays a secretly psychopathic child whose unassuming charm and child-like innocence allow him to get away with horrible acts. While Wood and Culkin are a perfect duo of good versus evil, Culkin leaves audiences' jaw dropped as he delivers a more than convincing performance as a deranged master manipulator, proving his incredible range as a young performer . The Good Son was met with generally negative reviews as many critics detested Culkin for being cast in such a role, but in reality, the actor's adorable persona is what made his character incredibly complex and believable for viewers.

'My Girl' (1991)

Director: howard zieff.

Unlike most kids, tomboy, Vada ( Anne Chlumsky ) is unusually morbid, which is partially since her mother died giving birth to her and her father ( Dan Aykroyd ) runs the town's funeral home. While the other kids have labeled her as a "freak," Vada's only friend is a skittish, shy boy, Thomas J. Sennett, who is allergic to literally everything but doesn't find anything wrong with Vada's personality and interests. Despite Thomas' friendship, Vada is typically unkind to him, but as she endures a series of life lessons such as loss and love, she eventually realizes how much Thomas truly means to her.

My Girl is a bittersweet coming-of-age film that features Culkin in one of his best dramatic roles as the bashful Thomas J. Even though Culkin isn't the film's main star, he still captivates audiences with his unyielding kindness and acceptance of Chlumsky's character who fails to see her friend's utter devotion to her. Despite the film centering around heavy, difficult subjects with a heartbreaking ending, Culkin brings a surprising sense of charisma and magic to the film that makes it purely unforgettable and one of the child star's finest films .

Release Date November 27, 1991

Director Howard Zieff

Cast Jamie Lee Curtis, Dan Aykroyd, Anna Chlumsky, Griffin Dunne, Macaulay Culkin

Runtime 102 Minutes

Main Genre Drama

Rent on AppleTV

'Saved!' (2004)

Director: brian dannelly.

A devout Christian high schooler, Mary ( Jena Malone ), is devastated when her boyfriend, Dean ( Chad Faust ), comes out to her and, as she tries to "fix" him by offering him her virginity, she ends up getting pregnant. With Dean sent off to a treatment center to be "cured" and her friends shunning her, she finds comfort in a group of misfit kids at school who end up being her saving grace.

Culkin is all grown up in the dark comedy, Saved! , which also stars Mandy Moore , Mary-Louise Parker , and The Princess Diaries ' star, Heather Matarazzo . The former child star takes on the role of Roland Stockard, a teen who is bound to a wheelchair, but despite the character's physical limitations, Culkin uses his facial expressions and witty sense of humor to the fullest to forge one of the film's funniest and most intriguing characters . Overall, the movie earned positive reviews, earning three and a half out of four stars from film critic, Roger Ebert , who noted that despite the fact that Saved! features various traditional tropes of a high school comedy, it still ends on an enlightened note that neither disregards nor glorifies Christian values.

Watch on Tubi

'Uncle Buck' (1989)

Director: john hughes.

When parents, Cindy and Bob Russell ( Elaine Bromka , Garrett M. Brown ) have a family emergency out of town, the only person available to babysit their kids is Bob's carefree, bachelor brother, Buck ( John Candy ). Initially, Buck has no problem watching and getting along with the youngest Russell kids, Miles and Maizy ( Gaby Hoffman ), but his responsibilities as a reliable caregiver are tested by his oldest niece, Tia ( Jean Louisa Kelly ), who gives him a real dose of a reality check, ultimately changing his life for the better.

Uncle Buck is a heartfelt family comedy directed by John Hughes and demonstrates Culkin's incredible ability as a comedic performer. To be able to hold his own with a comical force like Candy speaks volumes about the child star's talents and professional skills . Culkin portrays an overly curious and surprisingly blunt child whose lack of filter makes him an unpredictable character, providing comic relief during the film's more dramatic, serious moments. Upon its release, Uncle Buck earned mixed reviews, but with a combination of the iconic Hughes, Candy, and Culkin, the film is undeniably an entertaining classic.

Uncle Buck stars John Candy as Buck Russell, an eccentric uncle who comes to babysit his brother's teenage daughter and two younger kids. Macaulay Culkin stars as the young Miles Russell alongside Gabby Hoffmann, and Jean Louisa Kelly. John Hughes directed Uncle Buck, coming off the heels of The Great Outdoors, which also starred John Candy.

Release Date August 16, 1989

Director John Hughes

Cast Elaine Bromka, Jean Louisa Kelly, Gaby Hoffmann, John Candy, Macaulay Culkin, Amy Madigan

Runtime 100 minutes

Main Genre Comedy

Watch on Peacock

'Home Alone' (1990)

As Kate and Peter McCallister ( Catherine O'Hara , John Heard ) and their extended family prepare to travel to Paris for Christmas, they make the dire mistake of leaving their 8-year-old son, Kevin, home alone. As his parents panic and try to get back home, Kevin manages to take care of himself while basking in the glory of being alone, but when he realizes two petty thieves, Harry and Marv (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern), are planning to rob his home, Kevin prepares to fight them off with a series of clever tricks and traps that are a recipe for a hilarious disaster.

Home Alone is a hilarious Christmas classic that essentially launched Culkin's career as one of the most iconic child stars. Culkin's performance is without a doubt one of his all-time bests, portraying a surprisingly relatable, smart-mouthed kid who isn't afraid to speak his mind. The beauty of Culkin's performance is not only does he have a sneaky, devious side, but he's also genuinely kind and more considerate towards others than most adults . Initially, Kevin comes off as a bit of an ungrateful brat, but as the film progresses, he redeems himself by realizing his poor behavior and genuinely tries to make up for it. While some critics noted the film's premise as outlandish, Home Alone is still considered to be a must during the holiday season and reigns as Culkin's absolute best performance.

An eight-year-old troublemaker, mistakenly left home alone, must defend his home against a pair of burglars on Christmas eve.

Release Date November 16, 1990

Cast Roberts Blossom, John Heard, Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O'Hara

Runtime 103 minutes

KEEP READING: From 'Home Alone' to 'Succession': 10 Best Culkin Brothers Movies & TV Series