The Great Buck Howard (2008)

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

Director:

Sean McGinly

Writer:

Sean McGinly

Stars:

John Malkovich, Colin Hanks, Emily Blunt

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Malkovich	...	Buck Howard
Colin Hanks	...	Troy Gable
Emily Blunt	...	Valerie Brennan
Ricky Jay	...	Gil Bellamy
Steve Zahn	...	Kenny
Tom Hanks	...	Mr. Gable
Griffin Dunne	...	Jonathan Finerman
Debra Monk	...	Doreen
Adam Scott	...	Alan Berkman
Patrick Fischler	...	Michael Perry
Wallace Langham	...	Dan Green
Jonathan Ames	...	Edward Kelly
Jacquie Barnbrook	...	Sheila Heller
Paul Darricarrere	...	Restaurant Manager
Terry Scannell	...	Kip

Storyline

When a law school dropout answers an advertisement to be a personal assistant he unknowingly signs on to work for a belligerent has-been magician struggling to resurrect his career. This leads to a journey across the country staging the comeback of a lifetime.

---

Plot Keywords:

comeback | career | law school dropout | personal assistant | magician | 

---

Taglines:

Greatness is a state of mind.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [fr] Official site [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 June 2009 (Latvia)

Also Known As:

A Mente que Mente

Filming Locations:

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$115,004 (USA) (20 March 2009)

Gross:

$748,363 (USA) (3 July 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bristol Bay Productions, Playtone, Great Buck Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kevin Kline was originally going to play Buck Howard. Colin Hanks stated this in an interview at the premiere of Zathura: A Space Adventure.

---

Goofs

The scene with the mass hypnosis, supposedly in Cincinnatti, is clearly in the main lobby of the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion in Los Angeles. The banner with Placedo Domingo's name is even clearly seen hanging outside.

---

Quotes

Buck Howard: That's distilled water. I'm not an iron.

---

Connections

References Sally Jessy Raphael (1985)

---

Soundtracks

"Tonite Show with Jay Leno"
Written and Performed by Branford Marsalis
Courtesy of NBC Studios, Inc.

User Reviews

Colin Hanks is flat and uninspired in this otherwise decent film.

I think the film would have been great if they cast someone besides Colin Hanks. He is undeniably mediocre in this role. He performance is flat and drab and when I see him perform I can not help but think how much better the scene would be if someone else starred. I don't have a problem with this kid trying to cut his teeth in acting but do we all have to watch him learn to act on film. Seriously does Colin's dad Tom Hanks have to manufacture films just so his kid can have and acting career. I know Hollywood is nothing more than nepotism as a business but when the actor really doesn't cut it it's all the more insulting to the public and shame on the director for not trying to get more out of him.