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Only the Lonely | Year: 1991 Directed: - Chris Columbus Actors/Actresses: - John Candy - Maureen O'Hara - Ally Sheedy - James Belushi Candy at His Touching Best I'd rate this a five star movie in terms of showing John Candy's ability to act rather than simply be funny. It only rates four stars though because the overall movie, while good, isn't exceptional. That being said, the interplay between the Candy character and his mother (Ohara) and potential mate (Sheedy) is well done, allowing Ohara to play the shrew and Candy to play the repressed but dutiful son to the hilt. Though rated a "4", don't let that stop you from buying the movie. It's the best dramatic work John Candy ever did which, given how well he plays this role, is the real tragedy of his early death. John Candy at 65 years old playing parts similar to the one Ohara latches onto here would have been really something to see. A forgotten movie that shouldn't be. O'Hara steals the show. This movie has all the makings of a winner. A plot that is identifiable to almost any moviegoer, (everybody knows somebody in this situation.)A cast consisting of a fine comic lead, good supporting characters and two Hollywood legends. And a script that fits each actor like a glove. John Candy pleases in this low key role of a lonely police officer tied too tight to his mother (O'Hara) who has very strong opinons about almost everything and who plays the mother guilt card like no other as he is pursuing his interest in an equally lonely lady (Sheedy). I watched this with my own mother who is O'Hara's age and saw her nodding in agreement all over the film. (until her full blooded Siclian fists clenched when O'Hara's character described us. The look on her face was worth the price of the movie alone.) The story is plesant and worth your money, Candy & O'Hara work well together (who would have thought she would outlive him!) but the real power of the film is her interaction with Anthony Quinn. Classic film buffs like myself will get a real charge out of Quinn once again persuing O'Hara, but this time without an Errol Flynn as a rival. That sub plot is at least as interesting as the main one and for my money is better. It is classic Maureen O'Hara, the strong woman who is chased by the strong man and frankly is a great contrast to the the exact opposite situation between Candy & Sheedy. In the end to nobodys surprise love conquers all and Candy's final immagined scene (contrasting with several ones eariler in the film) gives him closure. That final scene is my favorite and show O'Hara playing a character she has always excelled at. Considering the events of 9/11/01 the ending has even more meaning as we see a member of "The Greatest Generation" setting an example (albert a fictious one) that would be bravely followed in reality 10 years later. I've said little about the good performances by Sheedy and Belushi, not to mention several other supporting characters in minor roles, they all add to the picture, but the stars make this film. Buy it. A must for John Candy fans.... Is there a movie where John Candy was the main actor that did not make you laugh out loud? This is not an exception to that rule. The man had such subtle wit and could deliver a line in the most hillarious way, God rest his soul. In this story his mother makes a good candidate for mother-in-lawhood. She is controlling and a bit selfish in that she doesn't see her sons need to have his own life. Each time John Candy tries to let go he has thoughts that something terrible will happen to his mother. His mother comes across as a completely controlling and insensitive person who we soon learn to dislike. We of course feel completely sorry for her son and hope he finds someone and runs away with her. As a police officer who knows everyone, he finally takes advantage of his position in very creative ways and meets the woman of his dreams. But can he keep her? Will his mother let him go? All I want to say is...watch this and enjoy it. If I tell you the whole story, it will spoil it for you. If you don't laugh out loud when you watch this movie, come back and give me 10 negatives...I am that confident you will enjoy this movie. It is a bit long in some places, but the laughs are completely worth it. Buy Only The Lonely at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Only The Lonely Search with the Priority Search Engine on Only The Lonely This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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