Starring John Candy, Jean Louisa Kelly, Jay Underwood, Macauley Culkin, Gabby Hoffman, Amy Madigan, Laurie Metcalf

(7-Very Good Film)

Funny. Simple. Endearing.

Heart and humor overflow when John Candy’s rascally Uncle Buck is asked to take care of his nieces and nephew while their parents are away. He’s in over his head, especially since the oldest, his niece Tia (Kelly), is determined to make everyone miserable. There’s nothing original in this material. It’s all a matter of execution, and Candy and Hughes are simply better at this stuff than the rest. John Hughes made a prolific career in writing comedies with sitcom-setups but then elevating the individual elements. His premises weren’t always unique but the characters always felt real, he drew great performances from his actors, and he wrote dozens of memorable scenes. As for Candy, this is one of his best roles. The great comedic actor was never better than when he was working with Hughes.

-Walter Tyrone Howard-

(886)