Uncle Buck (1989)
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64% of critics liked it
(22 reviews) -
72% of users liked it
(181,677 ratings)
In this cheerful, lightweight comedy, excruciatingly clumsy, disorganized, and messy Uncle Buck Russell (John Candy) becomes the screens most unlikely babysitter since Clifton Webb in Sitting Pretty. While their parents are away, eight-year old Miles (Macaulay Culkin), six-year old Maizy (Gaby… More In this cheerful, lightweight comedy, excruciatingly clumsy, disorganized, and messy Uncle Buck Russell (John Candy) becomes the screens most unlikely babysitter since Clifton Webb in Sitting Pretty. While their parents are away, eight-year old Miles (Macaulay Culkin), six-year old Maizy (Gaby Hoffman) and their teen-aged sister, Tia (Jean Kelly) are left in the care of Buck. Surprisingly, the very inept Uncle Buck entertains the younger children who come to love him and earns the respect of Tia when he rescues her from her worthless boyfriend. However, in doing so, Buck nearly loses his long-time girlfriend Chanice (Amy Madigan). John Candy is delightful in the leading role giving a touching and notable comic performance. Directed by John Hughes in his typical broad style, this youth-oriented comedy is perhaps the best role of John Candy's regrettably brief career. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi
- Directed By
- John Hughes
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Aug 16, 1989 Wide
- Studio
- MCA Universal Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
One of the many excellent family films from director and writer John Hughes...
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Bill Chambers, Film Freak Central
It's not John Hughes's best film, but it could be his funniest, as well as his saddest.
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Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
There isn't much to love about the movie besides Candy's excellent performance.
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David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...an agreeable comedy that benefits substantially from Hughes' undeniable gift for seamlessly blending laughs with drama.
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Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media
The Candy man can make this iffy movie taste good.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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John Candy
as Uncle Buck Russell
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Amy Madigan
as Chanice Kobolowski
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Jean Louisa Kelly
as Tia Russell
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Gaby Hoffmann
as Maizy Russell
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Macaulay Culkin
as Miles Russell
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Elaine Bromka
as Cindy Russell
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Laurie Metcalf
as Marcie Dahlgren-Frost
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Jay Underwood
as Bug
- Patricia Arquette
- Jack Blessing
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Anna Chlumsky
as School Child
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Dennis Cockrum
as Pal
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Matt Craven
as Walt Bernstein
- Leigh French
- Devon Odessa
- Julie Payne
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Ron Payne
as Maizy's Teacher
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Suzanne Shepherd
as Mrs. Hogarth
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Zak Spector
as Mechanic
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Mike Starr
as Pooter-the-Clown
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Brian Tarantina
as E. Roger Coswell
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William Windom
as Mr. Hatfield
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Garrett M. Brown
as Bob Russell
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Colin Baumgartner
as Miles' Friend
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Wayne Kneeland
as Party Boy
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Gigi Casler
as Party Girl in Bedroom
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Gina Doctor
as Party Girl
- Laura Jacoby
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Rachel Thompson Perrine
as Party Girl
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Jerry E. Postt
as Marko the Mechanic
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Joel Robinson
as Miles' Friend
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Doug VanNeesen
as Party Boy
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Jane Vickerilla
as Teacher
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Eric Whiple
as Miles' Friend
- Arnold Turner
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Mark Rosenthal
as Party Boy



