Uncle Buck

Right now you can watch Uncle Buck in Australia on BINGE and Foxtel Now, and in the US on YouTube TV — and it is funnier than its reputation suggests. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. With 1,371 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. John Candy's performance alone is worth the time investment. Start it on BINGE whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Uncle Buck is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate Uncle Buck from the crowd. Buck Russell, a lovable but slovenly bachelor, suddenly becomes the temporary caretaker of his nephew and nieces after a family emergency. His freewheeling attitude soon causes tension with his older niece Tia, loyal girlfriend Chanice, and just about everyone else who crosses his path. John Candy and Jean Louisa Kelly lead a cast that never overplays a joke. It was released in 1989. Uncle Buck earns its laughs from character rather than situation, which is why it does not wear thin the way pure farce tends to. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, Uncle Buck respects your intelligence. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. John Candy is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.