The Great Buck Howard
User Score
6.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19

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  1. BillD
    Apr 10, 2009
    6
    This movie is oddly similar to My Favorite Year, right down to the obtrusive romantic subplot. Colin Hanks (if he should be cast at all) is miscast as a leading man type; Emily Blunt is wasted in a disposable role; Tom Hanks looks like he wandered onto the wrong set. Malkovich as usual is great. If you're old enough to remember The Amazing Kreskin on the Johnny Carson Tonight Show, the movie is worth seeing.… Expand
  2. CapoRegime
    Oct 13, 2009
    8
    John Malkovich is perfect for his role and so does Colin Hanks. Very funny from start to finish.
  3. JayH
    Jul 17, 2009
    7
    Very well done story, believable screenplay and fine performances from everyone in the cast. It's entertaining, has a good score and well developed characters.
  4. SomeGuy
    Aug 8, 2009
    1
    I can't believe people actually liked this. Three of us watched this and it was like watching paint dry. The attempts at humor were so lame that it was actually uncomfortable watching this....embarassingly bad. I'll never get that 2 hours of my life back. No wonder this went straight to DVD and nobody had heard of it....but oh, it's got Tom Hanks in it so it must be funny.....his 10 seconds of screen time were as dull as the rest of this garbage.… Expand
  5. eliasc
    Nov 17, 2009
    8
    Belongs in 'One Of The Best Movies You Never Heard Of' class of film-making. I happened to catch it on a trans-Atlantic flight where on-board film choices are not exactly known for their high quality. This little gem of a film was a great surprise. With obvious support by a couple of handfuls of Hollywood notables who lend their talents in the form of cameos, this gentle and nostalgic film tells the story of The Great Buck Howard in his declining years, played by the always fascinating John Malkovich. Through the eyes of his assistant Troy Gable, played by Colin Hanks, the under-rated actor-son of Tom Hanks and loosely based on the career of real-life mentalist, The Amazing Kreskin, we watch the astringent but vulnerable Buck Howard, who is now used to dealing with being a show biz has-been, suddenly getting instant fame and ... well, you'll have to see the movie. Outstanding performances by Malkovitch, Hanks and Blunt set the proper mood of this little independent film. Tom Hanks makes a couple of appearances as well. As producer of the film, I think that he hoped that his presence might boost theater attendance. This tactic apparently did not work. This is a nice film that deserved better attention than it got. Catch it on DVD or netflix. You will be glad you did.… Expand
  6. RyanS
    Jul 26, 2009
    8
    This movie was hilarious. John Malkovich is awesome as the deluded, arrogant and washed-up magician Buck Howard. And what a handshake!
  7. InstaFlicka
    Sep 6, 2010
    7
    The InstaFlicka Index 3.5/5 ----- The InstaFlicka Podcast Doing our part to help you by watching the NetFlix Instant Queue until our eyes bleed.
    http://instaflicka.squarespace.com/

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
63 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Don R. Lewis
    80
    A fine little comedy and a hilarious character study of an ego gone wild.
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  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Duane Byrge
    70
    A warm, amiable glimpse at the end of the showbiz road.
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  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: Justin Chang
    70
    Behind-the-curtains comedy reps an amusing showcase for John Malkovich's diva-like theatrics in the title role.
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