As you can probably tell from my other reviews, most of the films that I choose are not family friendly, which is why I have decided to change course and review what I feel is an often overlooked comedy, the 1989 John Hughes’ movie Uncle Buck.
John Hughes is one of the iconic names of the 1980s. He wrote and directed classic comedies such as The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Planes, Trains & Automobiles to name a few.
Yet, I believe that the lesser-known Uncle Buck should sit alongside these as one of the memorable 1980s Hughes’ films.
The movie begins with an introduction to a typical American family, the Russells, who live in a nice suburban neighbourhood. Late one night, they get an urgent call that Cindy’s (Elaine Bromka) father has had a heart attack and they are left scrambling to find a suitable babysitter for their three children.
Everyone they try is unavailable and they are forced to reach out to Bob’s (Garrett M. Brown) brother Buck (John Candy).
Uncle Buck is a confirmed bachelor who is a bit rough around the edges and Candy plays him to perfection. Here, Hughes forms a character that is rich in depth, revealing Buck’s lifestyle and exploring his relationships, which is a staple in a John Hughes’ movie.
No matter how comedic and lighthearted Hughes’ films seemed to be, he was always able to create multilayered characters that revealed themselves and their problems over the course of the film.
Buck arrives in the middle of the night. He very quickly forms a great bond with the two young children, Maizy (Gaby Hoffman) and Miles (Macaulay Culkin), yet he struggles to reach the moody teenager Tia (Jean Louisa Kelly).
Hughes creates three believable roles for the children, all of which are perfectly cast. This may very well be Culkin’s best role as he has so many classic lines, great comedic timing and is extremely entertaining. One example of this being the scene where he rapidly asks his uncle several questions about himself.
Also, Kelly is able to channel teenage angst mixed with a seething resentment for her unwanted guardian in a most realistic way. She is able to go head to head with Candy as his foil for much of the movie.
Many of the secondary characters are just as entertaining as the main cast.
Amy Madigan is excellent as Buck’s longsuffering girlfriend Chanice, who is struggling to get him to settle down and finally take a job at her tire shop. Also, Jay Underwood plays Tia’s boyfriend Bug, the typical male predator, and Buck has quite a bit of fun terrorizing him.
Finally, the lonely next door neighbour Marcie (Laurie Metcalf) does a great job with her role, especially in the dance scene with Buck.
Buck, despite his faults, is able to aid the family with their problems in a most unconventional and uncontrived way, from putting Maizy’s assistant principal with the giant mole on her face in her place to teaching the sleazy Bug one final and painful lesson. In the process, he brings the family closer together and helps himself as well.
In the end, this is the way family movies should be made — cleverly written, witty dialogue plus the requisite physical comedy, mixed with some dramatic elements equals a successful formula that will entertain both children and adults alike.
So, take a swing and try Uncle Buck, you won’t be sorry.