Only the Lonely (1991)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Chris Columbus

Writer (WGA):

Chris Columbus (written by)

Release Date:

24 May 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

The Man, The Woman, The Mother.

Plot:

A Chicago cop must balance loyalty to his overbearing mother and a relationship with a shy funeral home worker.

Plot Keywords:

Love | Domineering Mother | Police Officer | Fire Hose Used As Rope | Underdog

Cast

John Candy	...	Danny Muldoon
Maureen O'Hara	...	Rose Muldoon
Ally Sheedy	...	Theresa Luna
Kevin Dunn	...	Patrick Muldoon
Milo O'Shea	...	Doyle
Bert Remsen	...	Spats
Anthony Quinn	...	Nick Acropolis
James Belushi	...	Salvatore Buonarte
Joe Greco	...	Johnny Luna
Marvin J. McIntyre	...	Father Strapovic
Macaulay Culkin	...	Billy Muldoon
Kieran Culkin	...	Patrick Muldoon Jr.
Allen Hamilton	...	O'Neal
Teri McEvoy	...	Susan Muldoon
Bernie Landis	...	Larry

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:L | Canada:PG (Ontario) | UK:12 (original rating) | Argentina:Atp | Chile:TE | Finland:S | Spain:T | UK:15 (video rating) | USA:PG-13 | Norway:10

Filming Locations:

Amtrack Railroad Station - 598 Dey Street, Niles, Michigan, USA

Company:

Hughes Entertainment

Trivia:

Maureen O'Hara refused to sign the movie contract, though she loved the script, until she met co-star John Candy. Fortunately the two of them instantly created a strong rapport and she hastily signed on the dotted line.

Quotes:

Rose: Oh, that's a lovely dress you wearing.
Danny: Isn't it?
Theresa: Oh, thank you!
Rose: Even though it is a little big on top.
Danny: Ma!
Rose: Well, it is, you said so yourself.
Danny: Ma!
Theresa: No, no that's a problem I have, I'm not really that endowed on top.
Danny: No, no, no, no, no.
Rose: You're built like a thirteen year old boy.

Movie Connections:

Features "The Jimmy Durante Show" (1954)

Soundtrack:

MY WILD IRISH ROSE

Candy Shows His Human Side

Roles like this helped make big John Candy somewhat of a beloved figure in his time. He was good at playing big, lovable oafs that usually messed up but had a good heart.

Many times, as in here, he might appear jovial on the outside but inside he was a very lonely guy, hence the title. I'll bet a number of viewers could identify with him. In this film he plays "Danny Muldoon."

Ally Sheedy's character, "Theresa Luna," is sweet in the beginning but then becomes unfairly-demanding and annoying by the end. Maureen O'Hara did a fine job playing "Danny's" domineering mother, "Rose." She came out of retirement to do this film and did herself proud. Anthony Quinn's role was stupid.

This movie is billed as a comedy but I didn't find a lot of laughs in it. It's really more of a sentimental drama, and it works on that level. I always enjoy seeing comedians do drama, because they are so good at doing it. I'm sorry Candy didn't make a few more dramatic roles.