DVD Movie Rating for: Uncle Buck

4 out of 5

Movie Plot of: Uncle Buck

Bob Russel, his wife Cindy Russel, and their three kids, 8-year-old Miles, 6-year old Maizy, and 15-year-old Tia, recently moved from Indianapolis to Chicago, and Tia resents Bob and Cindy for it because Tia, Miles, and Maizy were perfectly happy living in Indianapolis. Bob and Cindy are in bed one night when Cindy's aunt calls and tells them that Cindy's father has had a heart attack. Bob and Cindy immediately make plans to go to Indianapolis to visit Cindy's father. After hearing this, Tia angrily tells Cindy that Tia would have a heart attack too if her family moved away from her, then Tia slams her bedroom door in Cindy's face. With Cindy and Bob going to Indianapolis, the problem is who the babysitter will be. Even though Cindy doesn't like the idea, they choose Bob's brother Buck to babysit Tia, Miles, and Maizy. Cindy doesn't like Buck because she thinks Buck is a sloppy person who doesn't know how to do anything. While Cindy and Bob are in Indianapolis, Buck takes over the house, and Buck tries to do the best he can with the kids while he's having problems with Chanice Kobolowski, who has been his girlfriend for the past 8 years. Buck bonds with Miles and Maizy and wins their love, but Buck has problems with Tia as he tries to protect Tia from her boyfriend Bug, because unknown to Tia, Bug only wants Tia for one reason sex.

DVD Production Details of: Uncle Buck

Starring: John Candy, Macaulay Culkin

Director: John Hughes

Format: Color, Closed-captioned, Dolby, Widescreen

Studio: Universal Studios

DVD Release Date: June 30, 1998
DVD Features:
Production notes

Widescreen anamorphic format

Cast of the movie: Uncle Buck

• John Candy .... Buck Russell
• Jean Louisa Kelly .... Tia Russell
• Gaby Hoffmann .... Maisy Russell
• Macaulay Culkin .... Miles Russell
• Amy Madigan .... Chanice Kobolowski
• Elaine Bromka .... Cindy Russell
• Garrett M. Brown .... Bob Russell
• Laurie Metcalf .... Marcie Dahlgren-Frost
• Jay Underwood .... Bug
• Brian Tarantina .... E. Roger Coswell
• Mike Starr .... Pooter-the-Clown
• Suzanne Shepherd .... Mrs. Hogarth
• William Windom .... Mr. Hatfield (voice)
• Dennis Cockrum .... Pal
• Joel Robinson .... Miles' Friend #1

Photo Gallery of the movie: Uncle Buck

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Uncle Buck

Reviews of the movie: Uncle Buck

John Candy has one of his finest opportunities in this film by John Hughes (The Breakfast Club) about a perpetual screw-up (John Candy ) who gets his act together enough to watch over his brother's kids effectively. The late actor scores big points resurrecting elements of his more decadent persona from SCTV days, but he also has some persuasively touching, sentimental moments. Hughes's direction is not as focused as it was only a few years before, but there's no mistaking his touch. The DVD release has a widescreen presentation, production notes, biographies, Dolby sound, optional Spanish and French soundtracks

"John Candy uses his natural comedic charm in this film; he is loveable and huggable."
`Uncle Buck'

If you have read my other reviews, you would have realized that one of my favorite directors is John Hughes. Not because of his teen movies, but because he made my favorite comedy ever: `Planes, Trains and Automobiles' with Steve Martin and John Candy. But that has little to do with Uncle Buck; if you want to read my review on `Planes…' it is on this site. Anyway…

John Hughes' second to last film he directed was a little, low budget comedy named `Uncle Buck,' about a guy named Buck (John Candy) and his ordeals of the week.

Basically, to make a long story short, Buck's brother and sister-in-law are called out of town because of a family emergency. But, unfortunately, they cannot leave their three children (a teenager and two smaller kids) at home, alone. After calling many neighbors to no avail, Buck's brother realizes that the only option left is a big, large slob named Buck.

John Candy brings his warm screen presence straight outta' downtown Chicago to watch the kids for `A week at the most.' Little does he know what will ensue. Buck has no idea whatsoever how to care for kids. One of the most endearing things about this comedy is his chemistry and connection with the smaller children.

Another funny thing is how Buck handles the teenage girl. She is used to being free, basically; but Buck, like most parents and adults, has been through things before, and knows everything going on in her life and what it will lead to. He sees right through her boyfriend `Bug' to his real intentions.

`Uncle Buck' has some very, very funny moments. Some of the gags fall short a bit, but it is still a winner. Some of the best parts are stretched-out, making it even funnier. The thing about `UB' is that unlike many comedies, there are long segments that are funny, instead of individual jokes throughout like `Airplane' and Mel Brooks films. `Uncle Buck' is NOT slapstick. It is a comedy, plain and simple.

But this does not mean it doesn't have any good lines. There are some funny one-liners that have John Candy saying things like `Ever heard of a ritual killing,' etc… (anyone who's seen the movie knows what I mean).

John Candy uses his natural comedic charm in this film; he is loveable and huggable.

Macaulay Culkin has his best role in this film. He was not yet an annoying brat, and could actually handle his lines, for once, without sounding like he is reading off a piece of cardboard (see `Home Alone' and/or `The Good Son').

John Hughes directs the film in his typical fashion. I'm not sure what that fashion is, but whatever it is, it's good.

Basically, when it all comes down to it, `Uncle Buck' delivers everything you want in a comedy. It's great for a Friday or Saturday night. It may not be as great as `Planes…' but it sure as heck is funny.

Every time I see the freeze-frame ending it makes me want to cry (well, I feel sad, at least), because like `Planes…' the freeze-frame captures John Candy at his best, with his heart shining through. I think that is why he is one of the greatest comedians ever. It makes me sad when I think of his death.

We miss you, John.