Uncle Buck

Name: Uncle Buck
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Family
Released: August 16, 1989
Duration: 100 min
Rating: 51
Cast: John Candy, Macaulay Culkin

1989

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 49 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 49 Ratings

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Uncle Buck

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Movie Details & Credits

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) | Release Date: August 16, 1989 | PG

Starring: John Candy, Macaulay Culkin

Summary: Bachelor and all round slob, Buck, babysits his brother's rebellious teenage daughter and her cute younger brother and sister.

Director: John Hughes

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 100 min

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Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr

As long as Hughes is content to provide a simple, flexible format for Candy, Uncle Buck is very entertaining. Hughes seems to have relaxed his usual controlling, compulsively tidy style, taking full advantage of the improvisational talents of his star. Read full review

Ryan Murphy

Half-way through Uncle Buck, however, the plot abandons reality and is content to settle into the realm of cheap yuks. The film suffers accordingly and becomes so much like the unnatural potato chips and pretzel food snacks that our hero is fond of noshing. Uncle Buck tastes great, yes. But it sure doesn't fill you up. [16 Aug 1989, p.D6]

Jay Carr

Hughes succeeds more than he has any right to in Uncle Buck because he's able to override sitcom cliche with generosity. It's a smart idea to let Candy play feelings instead of just fatness and bluster. For a movie that isn't really that good, Uncle Buck is surprisingly likable. [16 Aug 1989, p.77]

Mike Clark

A John Hughes movie is 15 minutes of material stretched into a 90-minute feature by a rec-room rack from the Karloff estate; the only question is whether the 15 have their comic compensations. Uncle Buck has a few, though they're typically compromised by the cut-and-paste nature of the rest. [16 Aug 1989, p.4D]

CHRIS WILLMAN

Uncle Buck 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." Read full review

Ted Mahar

For all the film's patness and lame predictability, Candy gives it a strange charm. He seems to be inherently funny, and his subtle weirdness, so useful on SCTV, is handy here as well. It helps make seeing Uncle Buck marginally worthwhile. [18 Aug 1989, p.E13]

Roger Ebert

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. Read full review

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User Reviews

smiyamot

Nov 29, 2015

I can understand the critics low score, it's not a classic, but as far as having a black sheep in the family (Buck) and dealing with teenage angst, this movie is hilarious. I have this DVD in my collection.

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

drlowdon

Dec 25, 2020

When Cindy’s father has a heart attack they’re left with no choice but to ask the good natured, but idle, ‘Uncle Buck’ to babysit their kids. Uncle Buck hits many of the familiar beats of many a John Hughes comedy, but in large part due to the charm and comic timing of John Candy, itWhen Cindy’s father has a heart attack they’re left with no choice but to ask the good natured, but idle, ‘Uncle Buck’ to babysit their kids. Uncle Buck hits many of the familiar beats of many a John Hughes comedy, but in large part due to the charm and comic timing of John Candy, it succeeds in being a funny and heart-warming comedy.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

kyle20ellis

Apr 1, 2022

There are some very negative critical reviews on this movie, which I think personally is unjustified. This film is very funny indeed, especially when the bowling ball falls on Buck's head. John Candy gives possibly his best performance here as Buck Russell. John Candy was one talented actor,There are some very negative critical reviews on this movie, which I think personally is unjustified. This film is very funny indeed, especially when the bowling ball falls on Buck's head. John Candy gives possibly his best performance here as Buck Russell. John Candy was one talented actor, evident in Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Cool Runnings, and I think comedy lost a truly great actor when he died, and I don't think he ever got the respect he so rightly deserved. This film is very funny indeed, sometimes the jokes are a little over-familiar, and the sentimentality gets in the way at times. Out of the child stars, who were all excellent, Macaulay Culkin of Home Alone fame is a standout. Cute and self-assured suits Culkin like a glove. There was great chemistry between the stars, and in conclusion, see this gem, of which I will award an 8/10 Bethany Cox.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

MrMickeyRich

Jan 27, 2016

I have to admit i had to wipe away the nostalgia to write a review, it is one of the best john hughes movie and definitely one of Candy's best performances such a quotable film and so funny. Still holds up and worth a watch. Still a heartfelt even if you dont like the humor.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

EpicLadySponge

Feb 5, 2016

Uncle Buck is just as enjoyable as you wanted it to be. It's an old classic that actually works and has not aged badly. Want the best movie to enjoy for yourself? This is it.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Steven1981

Mar 19, 2020

Uncle Buck is a comedy from director John Hughes which stars the annoying Macaulay Culkin from Home Alone, John Candy, Gaby Hoffman and many other actors and actresses... Macaulay Culkin and Gaby Hoffman who are kids in Uncle Buck have their mum's dad or something die of a heart attack orUncle Buck is a comedy from director John Hughes which stars the annoying Macaulay Culkin from Home Alone, John Candy, Gaby Hoffman and many other actors and actresses... Macaulay Culkin and Gaby Hoffman who are kids in Uncle Buck have their mum's dad or something die of a heart attack or something. Anyway their mum needs someone reliable to look after the kids for a few days and Uncle Buck (Candy) gets the job... This film is okay but has it's flaws and unlikeable characters such as Marcie played by Laurie Metcalf who's so weak as an actress, so childish, so annoying and unsexy it's unreal. The film isn't directed and made that well because most of the film is boring drivel with only a few patches of funny humour and funny things happening. Could of been better.… Expand

0 of 7 users found this helpful07

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