Curly Sue

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Curly Sue

PG

Released Oct 25, 1991

1h 42m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

13%

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15 Reviews

50%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Bill (James Belushi) is a penniless drifter who scams strangers out of just enough money to feed himself and his partner in crime, an orphan girl known as Curly Sue (Alisan Porter). Bill and Curly Sue target Grey (Kelly Lynch), a yuppie lawyer, but their con takes an unexpected turn when the successful woman begins to like the ramshackle duo. She decides to take the girl in and falls in love with Bill, but there's one problem -- Grey's jealous, conniving boyfriend, Walker (John Getz).

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Curly Sue is a cornball, soupy, syrupy, sentimental exercise in audience manipulation, but that's the good news, because this is a movie that works.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Harriet Waugh

The Spectator

Everyone who has to do with it -- particularly John Hughes, the writer, director and producer of it -- should be ashamed.

Jul 19, 2018

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Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

The film has a desperately cutesy-pie charm that drips with flop sweat.

Rated: 5/10

Nov 18, 2011

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

A disappointingly sentimental and shallow film from John Hughes about the homeless

Rated: C

Aug 10, 2011

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Randy White

Common Sense Media

A violent, offensive comedy.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 2, 2011

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Reprehensible from start to finish, and utterly manipulative and mindless to boot.

Rated: F

Apr 21, 2007

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Blu B

It's ok I guess. It starts out unclear, jumpy, unfunny, and cliche characters. However once they settle in the apartment it does get better honestly. It does feel like though stuff just happens at times though it does get more focused on the the three of them. The humor is 70% flat 30% gets laugh. The music is very forgettable and sappy. Hughes direction is pretty basic stuff here and I really can't tell this is the master of some of the greatest coming of age stories and comedies of the 1980's. It lacks of of the sharpness and developed characters of his other works. Sometimes the acting feels like their sleepwalking also but Belushi has decent chemistry with Lynch. There's basic character arcs, it's predictable, and honestly I'm really struggling to find anything else to say. It's a very forgettable inoffensive family comedy that lacks sorely in the comedy. Skip this. Not terrible but nothing really good here. Sad to think John Hughes had sold out and stopped caring by this point.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/24/25

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Stephen C

Unsuccessful comedy movie in 1 hour and 42 minutes!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/31/25

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Allison M

I can't believe I'm only finding this movie in 2025! It's an excellent and heartwarming movie that never drags. If you're a woman, you'll love it! If you're a guy, then it depends. But it's a great watch!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/27/25

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thiago s

Filme ruim, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas não foram interessantes e relevantes para melhorar o filme, e o elenco é ruim e nao ajudou em porra nenhuma com isso, Eu não recomendo esse filme

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/25

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Fat J

I never seen this before and watched it 2025! What a great movie! I can't believe the rating here. This is one of the best family-comedy-drama movies. What a great storyline and leaves you inspired. We really enjoyed watching this movie!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/25

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Julian S

CURLY SUE, Hughes’ final directorial film, may not be his strongest, but its slapstick moments, reminiscent of HOME ALONE, are rich in heart and charm—perfect for a holiday viewing.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/16/24

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John Hughes

Director

Jim Belushi

Bill Dancer

Kelly Lynch

Grey Ellison

Alisan Porter

Curly Sue

John Getz

Walker McCormick

Fred Dalton Thompson

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Synopsis

Bill (James Belushi) is a penniless drifter who scams strangers out of just enough money to feed himself and his partner in crime, an orphan girl known as Curly Sue (Alisan Porter). Bill and Curly Sue target Grey (Kelly Lynch), a yuppie lawyer, but their con takes an unexpected turn when the successful woman begins to like the ramshackle duo. She decides to take the girl in and falls in love with Bill, but there's one problem -- Grey's jealous, conniving boyfriend, Walker (John Getz).

Director: John Hughes
Producer: John Hughes
Screenwriter: John Hughes
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Brothers
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 25, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $29.7M
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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