Only the Lonely

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Only the Lonely

PG-13

1991

1h 45m

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

24 Reviews

51%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Rose (Maureen O'Hara) dearly loves her adult son, Danny (John Candy) -- but when Danny meets Theresa (Ally Sheedy) and falls deeply in love, Ruth feels threatened. Desperate not to lose her son to the shy young woman, Ruth uses dirty tactics to keep the two apart. Danny is perplexed as to what he should do, so he consults his friends Patrick (Kevin Dunn) and Sal (James Belushi), who give him some skewed advice. Now Danny is torn between what his loved ones advise, and what his heart tells him.

Bob Thomas

Associated Press

Columbus... enhances the comedic bits with commentary on the human condition: the emergence of male-female love; the silver cord between mother and son; the plight of aging single men whose only ties are their pub companions.

Jun 12, 2018

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

It’s not peak Candy, Hughes, or Columbus, but the cast is clearly doing their best to elevate the material.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 9, 2025

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Ends with incredible sweetness. [Full review in Spanish]

Dec 8, 2022

Full Review

Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

A pretty easy ride, almost entirely because of John Candy and the miraculous casting of Maureen O'Hara.

Rated: 6/10

Nov 14, 2011

Full Review

Brian Orndorf

BrianOrndorf.com

Orchestrates a peaceful stream of gags and one-liners while piecing together a puzzle of broken hearts...one of Columbus's best films, and easily ranks as Candy's most dimensional performance. He's a joy to watch here.

Rated: B+

May 24, 2011

Full Review

Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 3/5

Oct 9, 2005

Full Review

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Trenaway E

This movie is way better than the critics or public give it. People went to it, expecting a comedy, but it was a drama piece, which was in complete antithesis of what Candy had done all of his life. Candy pulls this one off, with some great acting.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/23/25

Full Review

David B.

One of John Candy’s best comedy dramas. Underrated gem.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/21/25

Full Review

Scott G

The most underrated John Candy movie. Watch this if you are a fan.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/13/25

Full Review

Jason R

Fantastic, this honestly seems to be the most underrated John Candy film ever, as it never gets brought up in John Candy films discussions, honestly more people should watch it, great cast, story and acting.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/06/25

Full Review

Julian B

Great John Candy Film!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/08/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Funny in 1.75 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/30/25

Full Review

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Chris Columbus

Director

John Candy

Danny Muldoon

Maureen O'Hara

Rose Muldoon

Ally Sheedy

Theresa Luna

Kevin Dunn

Patrick Muldoon

Milo O'Shea

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Synopsis

Rose (Maureen O'Hara) dearly loves her adult son, Danny (John Candy) -- but when Danny meets Theresa (Ally Sheedy) and falls deeply in love, Ruth feels threatened. Desperate not to lose her son to the shy young woman, Ruth uses dirty tactics to keep the two apart. Danny is perplexed as to what he should do, so he consults his friends Patrick (Kevin Dunn) and Sal (James Belushi), who give him some skewed advice. Now Danny is torn between what his loved ones advise, and what his heart tells him.

Director: Chris Columbus
Producer: John Hughes, Hunt Lowry
Screenwriter: Chris Columbus
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox, Hughes Entertainment
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 31, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $19.9M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Dolby SR, Surround
Aspect Ratio: 35mm