Uncle Buck with John Candy: DVD Cover

    Uncle Buck Director: John Hughes Cast: John Candy, Amy Madigan, Jean Louisa Kelly, Gaby Hoffmann

    DVD Learn more

    BUY THIS ITEM

    • Add To List uiAction=GetAllLists&page=List&pageType=list&ean=025192028816&productCode=DV&maxCount=100&threshold=3
    • DVD Release Date: 02/27/2009
    • Original Release: 1989
    • Rating: Rated PG

    Viewer Rating: (6 ratings)

    See All Detailed Ratings

    FOR PARENTS

    More Formats 
    DVD - Wide Screen$9.99

    Customers who bought this also bought

     
    • Overview
    • Editorial Reviews
    • Customer Reviews
    • Cast & Crew
    • Full Product Details

    Scenes

    Editorial Reviews

    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, All Movie Guide

    Customer Reviews

    • Viewer Rating:
    • Ratings: 6Reviews: 2

    John Candy At His Comic Best!by Anonymous

    Reader Rating:
    See Detailed Ratings

    September 03, 2004: If anyone were to ask me what film in John Candy's illustrious career was his defining moment, I would have to say without hesitation that it was 'Uncle Buck'. Hughes & Candy had worked together before on 4 other projects (National Lampoon's Vacation, Planes Trains & Automobiles, The Great Outdoors and She's Having A Baby), but in my mind it wasn't until this project that they nailed it right on the head. This was a combination that worked with very satisfying results. John Candy plays the role of Buck Russell, a lovable, good-natured bachelor who has been able to dodge and avoid responsibility on any level for most of his life. He finds himself thrust into suburban life however when his brother, Bob (G.Mac Brown - Zelig and Lucas), asks him to watch his estranged nephew and 2 nieces while he and his wife need to leave town due to a family emergency. With an ever patient girlfriend (Amy Madigan - The Day After, Streets Of Fire, Field Of Dreams & The Dark Half) that he has been stringing along for years, a rebellious teenage niece Tia (Jean Kelly - Mr. Holland's Opus & TV's Yes, Dear), and his younger relatives Miles (Macaulay Culkin - Home Alone & Home Alone 2) and Maizy (Gaby Hoffman - Field Of Dreams, Sleepless In Seattle & Volcano), not to mention the 'frosty' neighbor, who longs for some attention (Laurie Metcalf - Scream 2 and TV's Roseanne)...the ensuing results are often times hilarious, yet centered on family values and unity. While doing his best to safeguard his brother's family, namely that of protecting Tia from her worthless boyfriend who only has one thing on his mind, and keep from losing his girlfriend who is at the end of her rope...he finds that he has outgrown his bachelor ways. In a scene where he comes to grips with himself, he shares a beer with the family dog, Percy, and admits 'People used to say to me all the time...Buck, you got it made! No wife, no kids, no job, no desk and no boss to answer to. And they were right...I did have it made.' Then Bucks pauses a minute and continues...'Nobody says that to me anymore.' He finds himself along the way, in what would become a milestone in everyone's life around him, including his own. I highly recommend this film to anyone who not only hasn't seen it, but has! With John Candy's unmistable original comedic style tempered with real family issues, this is what I would call the best film of John Candy's career. A must-see!

    This review was written about the DVD Wide Screen edition.

    So cute So Funny!!!!!!!!!by Anonymous

    Reader Rating:
    See Detailed Ratings

    February 23, 2002: Hey I loved this movie, you should too! John Candy was a brilliant comedic actor, God rest his soul. In this movie he really was funny, and all the supporting actors were funny too, they really complimented each other well. It is also a good movie about serious teen troubles and how getting a family back together is always important. A really great movie! Fun to watch over and over throughout the years.

    This review was written about the VHS edition.

    common sense media

    This item Rated Appropriate for Ages 11 and Up

    Download Flash to see more

    Why We Rated This Appropriate for Ages 11 and UP

    What to watch out for

    • Consumerism:

      Food products, auto parts brands are prominent, as is oldies music.

    • Drugs:

      Teen and adult drinking; a hostile, drunken party clown, and Buck himself getting plastered. Buck brags about quitting.

    • Language:

      Pretty intense for a PG, with repeated variations on "s--t" and "goddamn," and "pissant." Both children and adults talk like that.

    • Messages

    • Sex:

      When Buck swears and wrestles with an uncooperative washing machine, an eavesdropper thinks he's having rough sex. Talk of teen pregnancy in the case of Tia and her boyfriend, who clearly wants to go all the way with her.

    • Violence:

      "Comedic" stuff, as Buck punches out a drunk and threatens his niece's unwanted boyfriend with kidnapping and torture-dismemberment.

    What Parents Need to Know

    About Uncle Buck

    Parents need to know that the swearing in this movie is pretty intense for a PG film, and there is attempted teen sex (nothing explicitly shown, but no doubt what's going on) and a mistaken belief that adult sex has taken place. Buck pretends to be psychotic, capable of torture-murder and mutilation with power tools, as he intimidates a grubby boy trying to get intimate with his niece. Buck also indulges in drinking, smoking, and gambling.

    Families Can Talk About

    Families can talk about the conflicts between the various characters. Do you think Buck could have handled bad-girl Tia in a more productive way? Do you believe the way the story comes out? Has Buck himself grown up a little by the end? What do you think will happen between him and Chanice?