tavm After Maureen O'Hara died last month, I suddenly got the urge to order this-her last theatrical movie-from Netflix for me and my mom to watch when she came back from visiting my sister in Seattle. I was wonderfully surprised to find out my mom hadn't previously seen this as that meant she would watch this with fresh eyes as I had seen this on VHS tape back in the day and remember enjoying this at the time. We both very much loved this just now. I mean, Ms. O'Hara is her lovable self-provided her character is a tad bigoted though she's simply "telling it like it is". Her son, John Candy-another performer who's been missed since he passed away only a few years after this movie-is a cop who lives with her and has been quite lonely as a result. Then one day, he meets Ally Sheedy as someone who does makeup on deceased bodies when they're both at a wake and he bravely asks her out which she accepts. I'll stop there and just mention that some complications ensue but things seem to work out at the end. Fine support from Jim Belushi as Candy's cop partner and Anthony Quinn as a neighbor who is crushing on Ms. O'Hara. Written and directed by Chris Columbus, he does a nice mixing of drama and comedy when the sequences call for it and also makes good use of the Chicago locations (a city I was born in and lived as a child for about 6 years as well as one I visited quite a bit during the '80s). Anyway, Only the Lonely is a fine tribute to the careers of both Candy and O'Hara before their untimely deaths. Oh, and Quinn as well before he passed several years later.

Robert D. Ruplenas Years ago when this flick first came out I was dubious, because of the presence of John Candy, whose great popularity I still am at a loss to explain. I recently read a reference somewhere to this flick as worth seeing, so I went for it, 23 years late. After seeing it, I am happy to know my original instincts were correct. "Marty" this ain't, and Candy is no Borgnine. And why, oh why, did Maureen O'Hara choose this as her farewell vehicle? The script makes her a domineering, racist, obnoxious, rude, and thoroughly nasty person, and any attempts with her acting to tone this down are in vain. This is not billed as an outright comedy, in which naturalness can be discarded, so we have some expectation that the characters will interact in someway at least half believable. O'Hara's character is so vile that it is impossible to believe that her son would not have left her long ago, preferably after burying her in the cellar. I like Jim Belushi, but as a previous viewer said, his contribution here is minimal. As far as character development, we are asked to believe that Candy's girl friend goes from docile and practically mute to a stand-up-for-me character just about overnight. It doesn't wash. The best thing here is Anthony Quinn, who, in his minor role, plays it perfectly. I should have gone with my instincts 23 years ago and let this dog lie.

Amy Adler Danny (John Candy) is a Chicago police officer who, at 38, still lives with his strong-willed, Irish mother, Rose (Maureen O'Hara). Danny went to work right out of high school, due to the death of his father, and helped pay for the law degree his younger brother (Kevin Dunn) sports. The true love that Danny yearns for has eluded him, even though his police partner (Jim Belushi) tells him time and again that marriage is no bed of roses. One day, however, Danny goes to a wake and spies the pretty daughter, Theresa (Ally Sheedy) of the funeral home director. Mustering his courage, Danny asks Theresa for a date and the shy lady accepts. After an awkward first date, the two become quite close. But, Danny's main problem is his mother. She takes a dislike to Theresa for her Sicillian and Polish heritage and makes trouble for the couple. And, because Danny has always catered to his mother and even has daydreams about abandoning her at the wrong moment, he is in a turmoil of doubt about his future with Theresa. Will he break away from the mama-ties that bind him to find happiness on his own? This is a lovely film about the lonely souls that long for love. As the main character, Danny, Candy is a marvel, for he is called upon to be more than just an arsenal of funny one-liners. His portrayal of a wistful bachelor in search of a lady to love is absolutely touching and real. Likewise O'Hara, still stunningly beautiful as the older woman, does a fine turn as the difficult mother. Sheedy is lovely and poignant as the shy, awkward love interest while the rest of the cast, including Belushi and Dunn, is nice also, with Anthony Quinn simply outstanding as a Greek neighbor-turned-suitor for Rose. The scenes in and around Chicago show the city at its best while the costumes, especially Sheedy's fine ensembles, are very well selected. Add on a heartfelt script, lovely direction and fine cinematography and you have a the complete package of great film presentation. Are you lonesome tonight? Get this beautiful film and your hope in a brighter future will be restored.

Jackson Booth-Millard When it was on I wasn't planning to watch it, but I'm glad I stuck with it, because it was a good old fashioned romantic comedy from writer/director Chris Columbus (Home Alone, Mrs. Doubtfire). Basically shy cop Danny Muldoon (the lovable John Candy) meets and falls in love with equally bashful mortician Theresa Luna (The Breakfast Club's Ally Sheedy). After many dates, sneaking around behind the back of his mother Rose (Maureen O'Hara), and a little taunting from his brother Patrick (Small Soldiers' Kevin Dunn) and friend Salvatore Buonarte (James Belushi), Danny eventually plucks up the courage to ask Theresa's hand in marriage. His mother of course is not at all supportive and very rude to people, not least of all Theresa, and worse Danny can't stop worrying about her a lot of the time, which Theresa isn't happy with. In the end, Rose wants to move to Florida, but Danny won't go, and after an understanding, she allows him to go and get his fiancée back, and they get back together, a happy ending. Also starring Milo O'Shea as Doyle Ryan, Bert Remsen as Spats Shannon, Last Action Hero's Anthony Quinn as Nick Acropolis, Joe V. Greco as Johnny Luna, Marvin J. McIntyre as Father Strapovic, Macaulay Culkin as Billy Muldoon, Kieran Culkin as Patrick Muldoon Jr., Allen Hamilton as O'Neal, Teri McEvoy as Susan Muldoon and Bernie Landis as Larry. Candy of course is always fun to watch, it may not have had the biggest amount of jokes or slapstick, but it is certainly not one to ignore. Worth watching!