The Great Buck Howard (2008)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Sean McGinly

Writer (WGA):

Sean McGinly (written by)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Get ready for the comeback of a lifetime.

Plot:

A young man, much to the chagrin of his father, becomes the new assistant to an illusionist in decline.

Plot Keywords:

Illusionist | Magician | Real Life Father And Son Playing Father And Son | Character Name In Title

Cast

Colin Hanks	...	Troy Gable
B.J. Hendricks	...	Burly
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Tom Arnold
Jacquie Barnbrook	...	Sheila Heller
Ankur Bhatt
David Blaine	...	Himself
Emily Blunt	...	Valerie Brennan
Osa Danam	...	Hypnotized Woman
Bubba Da Skitso	...	(Unscripted) Sitcom Actor
Griffin Dunne	...	Johnathan Finerman
Patrick Fischler	...	Michael Perry
Matthew Gray Gubler	...	Russel
Tom Hanks	...	Mr. Gable
Nate Hartley	...	Teenage Kid
Matt Hoey	...	Charley
Dale Waddington Horowitz	...	Sleeping Woman
Ricky Jay	...	Gil Bellamy
Shane Johnson	...	Las Vegas Producer
Diana Kyle	...	Hypnotized Woman
Wallace Langham	...	Dan Green
Chene Lawson	...	Law Student #1
John Malkovich	...	Buck Howard
Marni McFair	...	Doctor in Audience
David Mehl	...	Hypnotized Guest
P. David Miller	...	Sleeping Woman's Husband
Debra Monk
Don Most	...	Tonight Show Producer
Conan O'Brien	...	Himself
Norm O'Neill	...	Audience Member #2
Regis Philbin	...	Himself
Jill Ragan	...	Cincinnati Producer
Kelly Ripa	...	Herself
Franklin Ruehl	...	Diner
Lawrence J. Russo	...	Hotel Guest
Terry Scannell	...	Kip
Adam Scott	...	Alan
Kimberly Scott	...	Nurse
Lorna Scott	...	Leesburg Virginia Woman
Danica Sheridan	...	Wisconsin Woman
Jon Stewart	...	Himself
Martha Stewart	...	Herself
Melissa Stone	...	Las Vegas Woman
George Takei	...	Himself
Amy Jo Traicoff	...	Las Vegas Woman
Stacey Travis	...	Cindy Crown
Katherine VanderLinden	...	Law Student
Max Williams	...	Flower Delivery Guy
Casey Wilson	...	Charity (as Casey Rose Wilson)
Nate Witty	...	Law Student #2
Wendy Worthington	...	Oregon Woman
Steve Zahn

MPAA:

Rated PG for some language including suggestive remarks, and a drug reference.

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Company:

Bristol Bay Productions

Trivia:

The character of "Troy Gabel" is based on director Sean McGinly's experiences as road manager for The Amazing Kreskin, on which The Great Buck Howard is loosely based.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: While Buck and Troy are being driven around Cincinnati, you can see palm trees out the back and side windows of the limo.

Movie Connections:

References "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (1993)

Enjoyable story about "B" celebs

This could be the story about so many "B" level celebrities, and is based on the life story of the "Amazing Kresken," The Great Buck Howard tells us that once you enter the field of entertainment, you might do anything to stay on top.

Buck Howard (played wonderfully cheesy by John Malkovich) is a "mentalist" who was popular on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show," appearing 61 times. He is a classic 70s Vegas magician, doing fascinating tricks and metal feats of amazement. In all, he is a relic of decades past, entertainment without special effects and he still seems to think he is on top of the entertainment world.

Howard's career has has hit near the bottom, performing in such hotbeds as Bakersfield, CA and Akron, OH in front of partially filled small auditoriums. Still, he see's himself as a big time entertainer that is just not getting the break he needs to get back on top (much of which he blames on Jay Leno), in many ways he is a sad individual and does not get that the only people who enjoy him are almost as sad as him.

The story is told through the eyes of his traveling secretary, played by Colin Hanks, who is, himself, struggling with issues. He is battling his desires to become famous with his fathers (played by his real dad Tom Hanks)wish he become a lawyer. since he has no real talent (other than writing)he is breaking into entertainment the only way he sees possible.

This is a charming film, not something for those looking for action, a major love story (a minor one occurs between Colin and the beautiful Emily Blunt (best known as the 1st assistant in The Devil Wears Prada), or some major personal victory, although in the end, Howard does find what makes him happy.

This is a movie that likely describes the life of many "B" entertainers that are seeking to stay in a limelight that has moved away from them. it is simple and enjoyable.