Chuck & Buck (2000)

85% of critics liked it
(85 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(3,930 ratings)

Following his critically acclaimed Star Maps, Miguel Arteta directs this perverse Odd Couple-esque comedy drama. Childhood best buddies Chuck and Buck are reunited after 18 years during the funeral of the latter's mother. Chuck (Chris Weitz who also produced American Pie (1999)) is a button-down… More Following his critically acclaimed Star Maps, Miguel Arteta directs this perverse Odd Couple-esque comedy drama. Childhood best buddies Chuck and Buck are reunited after 18 years during the funeral of the latter's mother. Chuck (Chris Weitz who also produced American Pie (1999)) is a button-down movie executive with a gorgeous blond fiancée, Carlyn (Beth Colt). By contrast, the intervening years do not seem to have matured Buck (Mike White) in the slightest -- he still plays with children's toys, throws bawling temper tantrums, and seems to be utterly at a loss at what to do after his mother's death. During the funeral, Buck greets his old friend with an oblivious joy that is hardly appropriate to the setting. Clearly expecting that the friendship will continue where it left off back during the Carter administration, Buck seems confused and sullen in the presence of Carlyn, a yucky girl. This jealousy turns more unnerving when, in midst of a brotherly hug, Buck makes a clumsy grope for Chuck's manhood. Disturbed and embarrassed, Chuck quickly leaves, but not before Carlyn politely suggests that Buck "visit us in L.A. sometime." Buck leaps at the chance and soon is packing up for California. He quickly degenerates from a silly, though pathetic annoyance to a lollipop-sucking stalker. Buck's bizarre attempts to renew his bond with Chuck and to consummate their relationship puts Chuck increasingly on edge and confronts the affluent yuppie with a past he'd just as soon forget. Chuck & Buck was one of the most talked about films at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Miguel Arteta
Written By: Mike White
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Jul 14, 2000 Limited
On DVD: Dec 19, 2000
Studio: Artisan

Critic Reviews

Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
Skirts stalker cliches and grown-up-kid-in-a-man's-body caricatures.
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
Do you like the clammy as opposed to the scary? Do you like dread rather than drama, anguish and emotional coagulation rather than screamfests?
David Edelstein, Slate
Chuck & Buck might be the most perversely agreeable stalker picture ever made.
Dennis Harvey, Variety
That Chuck & Buck holds attention despite -- or partly due to -- its murky, troubling central conceit can be credited to execution that's stealthy and low-key throughout.
Lisa Alspector, Chicago Reader
Possibly the most daring and honest drama about sexuality I've ever seen.
Louis B. Parks, Houston Chronicle
All the people of Chuck & Buck feel very human.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Creepy, funny, yet surprisingly affecting, Miguel Arteta's darkly comic drama pulls off a remarkable balancing act.
, Time Out
Genuinely unsettling.
Ron Wells, Film Threat
Of all the films to premiere at Sundance 2000, there is one movie that best represented what indie film is supposed to be.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
Unlike any movie I've seen before.
Edward Lawrenson, Sight and Sound
Chuck & Buck is a film which you can't quite get a fix on: it's a movie about child sex which is also as airy and sweetly likeable as anything you'll see this year.
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
Thought-provoking jet-black comedy that may not be for all tastes, but is well-worth seeking out.
Jean Lowerison, San Diego Metropolitan
This is a thoughtful, difficult film. See it if you are ready to be challenged.
Kevin N. Laforest, Montreal Film Journal
Here's an odd film: a heartfelt, sweet and funny little story about a coming of age better late than never, it's also the disturbing tale of a pathetic gay sociopath and the man he stalks.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
It's certain to make almost everyone in the audience squirm, either out of embarrassment for the characters or because the situation hits too close to home...
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
It was often painfully difficult to watch. It was never predictable, though, which is saying something.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
One of the most fiercely original films about adults coping with their pasts.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Mark H

Odd, unsettling comedy-drama about a man who continues to have an obsession over his childhood friend. Writer and star, Mike White, is unnerving as Buck, a childlike, lollipop-sucking, 27 year old stalker that you won't soon forget. At once, humorous, tender, scary and… More
Odd, unsettling comedy-drama about a man who continues to have an obsession over his childhood friend. Writer and star, Mike White, is unnerving as Buck, a childlike, lollipop-sucking, 27 year old stalker that you won't soon forget. At once, humorous, tender, scary and pathetic. The film masterfully juggles all of these tones and it's difficult to categorize. Unique and memorable
Alec B

It works largely because the central conflict is so fascinating. One man refuses to let go of the past and the other refuses to confront it. It makes for a unique and oddly moving film, especially when the two title characters are forced to find a way to reconcile their opposing… More
It works largely because the central conflict is so fascinating. One man refuses to let go of the past and the other refuses to confront it. It makes for a unique and oddly moving film, especially when the two title characters are forced to find a way to reconcile their opposing perceptions.
Quinto W

For a very gloom subject, the movie knows how to be funny when it needs to. Mike White's performance really makes this a stand-out as he expertly portrays his unsettling man-child character and really makes us wonder about how we sometimes cling too much to our past and how past… More
For a very gloom subject, the movie knows how to be funny when it needs to. Mike White's performance really makes this a stand-out as he expertly portrays his unsettling man-child character and really makes us wonder about how we sometimes cling too much to our past and how past actions can affect or disturb us, yet it also has a touch of hope and it ends up being a rather positive movie about growing up and changing. I was really only bothered by how it seemed there was no end in sight at first, but I was glad how they finished the story.
Patrick D

Sweet and deranged, but really nice at times.
Wu C

Weird, funny and a nice twist. Not for the homophobic.