Uncle Buck - A Movie Review

Better mark the date. Uncle Buck is coming.

Showing up for a visit in 1989, Uncle Buck is about an uncle who is unexpectedly called to look after his nieces and nephew. Polite and kind, Buck is not the most pleasant man. A series of adventures occur as Buck babysits the kids.

John Candy has always been one of my favorite actors. He has left behind a treasure of movies. Uncle Buck is one of his best works. It is a fun, silly, and heartfelt story. Every time I watch it, the story always makes me smile and have a good laugh.

The late John Candy is at his best. Buck is not a perfect man, but he makes an effort to be better. The way Buck looks out for everyone is so sweet. Candy brings this character to life. In a powerful scene, Candy conducts a beautifully acted moment all through his eyes to make a difficult decision.

Although Buck is supposed to be a slob, I feel like the director should have showcased that side of Buck more to understand him better. He is always willing to help, making it confusing why the family has not talked to him for some time.

I was impressed with Jean Lousie Kelly in her film debut. Tia is a misunderstood teenager who wants to be understood. Tia and Buck reinforce a message of how important the relationship is between a niece and an uncle. Candy and Kelly’s interactions are the best part. They created a genuine relationship that grew over the course of the story.

Before his big break in Home Alone, Macaulay Culkin makes an appearance interrogating his uncle with various questions. He and Gaby Hoffman were adorable as the youngest members of the household. I like how everyone got equal focus. There are multiple stories and each is given the rightful attention.

Other credits include Amy Madigan, Elaine Bromka, Garrett M. Brown, Jay Underwood, and a memorable appearance by Laurie Metcalf. The scene where Buck roasts the principal is a noteworthy moment. Amy Madigan was remarkable in her performance. I would have liked to have had more scenes with Chanice and Buck to get a better perception of their relationship.

In my opinion, the roles of the parents needed to be expanded more. One element that I never understood about Uncle Buck is the reason why he is estranged from the family. Clearly, there was some incident that happened in the past. This incident should have been better touched upon to understand Buck’s character.

Most scenes in Uncle Buck feel like filler. For example, some scenes involve Mile’s birthday and Buck meeting with the principal of the school to talk about Maizy. I understand they are supposed to represent Buck’s love for his niece and nephew, but they are unnecessary.

In a way, the film puts the parents in a bad light. Why wouldn’t the mother have canceled this appointment since she was away on unexpected notice? Just like Buck’s unknown reason as to why he is estranged from the family, Tia’s subplot about the rivalry with her parents is never explained.

Aside from those criticisms, Uncle Buck is still a classic heartwarming comedy to watch. Uncle Buck is hilarious. Fair warning to some viewers, there is one sexual scene that could be triggering.

If I could, I would love to go back in time and watch the film for the first time again. John Candy’s legacy forever lives on. If you have not seen Uncle Buck I recommend that you do so immediately. You will be laughing up the wall.