Film Snail

6.8

Uncle Buck

PG·1989·100m

Comedy

Drama

Family

Comedy

Drama

Family

Summary

Buck Russell, a lovable but slovenly bachelor, suddenly becomes the temporary caretaker of his nephew and nieces after a family emergency. His freewheeling attitude soon causes tension with his older niece Tia, loyal girlfriend Chanice and just about everyone else who crosses his path.

Cast

John Candy

Buck Russell

Jean Louisa Kelly

Tia Russell

Gaby Hoffmann

Maizy Russell

Macaulay Culkin

Miles Russell

Amy Madigan

Chanice Kobolowski

Elaine Bromka

Cindy Russell

Garrett M. Brown

Bob Russell

Laurie Metcalf

Marcie Dahlgren-Frost

Jay Underwood

Bug

Brian Tarantina

E. Roger Coswell

Mike Starr

Pooter-the-Clown

Suzanne Shepherd

Mrs. Hogarth

William Windom

Mr. Hatfield (voice)

Dennis Cockrum

Pal

Joel Robinson

Miles' Friend #1

Colin Baumgartner

Miles' Friend #2

Erik Whipple

Miles' Friend #3

Mark Rosenthal

Party Boy #1

Doug von Nessen

Party Boy #2

Wayne Kneeland

Party Boy #3

Gigi Casler

Party Girl in Bedroom

LaVerne Anderson

Party Girl #1

Gina Doctor

Party Girl #2

Rachel Thompson Perrine

Party Girl #3

Ron Payne

Maizy's Teacher

Jane Vickerilla

Teacher

Kyle Lewis Eastman

School Child

Dana Taylor

School Child

Jennifer Kane

School Child

Christen Loftis

School Child

Genae Affrunti

School Child

Anna Chlumsky

School Child

Patricia Arquette

Additional Voices (voice)

Jack Blessing

Additional Voices (voice)

Devon Odessa

Additional Voices (voice)

Ryan Goldstein

School Child (uncredited)

Arnold F. Turner

Additional Voices (voice)

Crew

Director, Writer

John Hughes

Reviews

kevin2019

May 2, 2025

"Uncle Buck" is structured along familiar lines and the character epiphanies which take place are generally of the unrevelatory variety. The characters themselves are standard stereotypes we have encountered too many times before and there is no attempt made to freshen them up in any way. Now, you would imagine all of this could justifiably be considered damaging to the overall effectiveness of the film and it is extremely surprising this isn't the case. However, this is not an outstanding film by any means, but it is a highly amiable and entertaining one instead and the comedy really works terrifically well throughout. It is effortlessly capable of generating its fair share of laughs and it ends on the promising note of there being a brighter future ahead for everyone involved.