Only the Lonely (1991)

A Chicago cop must balance loyalty to his overbearing mother and a relationship with a shy funeral home worker.

Director:

Chris Columbus

Writer:

Chris Columbus

Stars:

John Candy, Maureen O'Hara, Ally Sheedy

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Candy	...	Danny Muldoon
Maureen O'Hara	...	Rose Muldoon
Ally Sheedy	...	Theresa Luna
Kevin Dunn	...	Patrick Muldoon
Milo O'Shea	...	Doyle
Bert Remsen	...	Spats
Anthony Quinn	...	Nick Acropolis
Jim Belushi	...	Salvatore Buonarte (as James Belushi)
Joe Greco	...	Johnny Luna
Marvin J. McIntyre	...	Father Strapovic
Macaulay Culkin	...	Billy Muldoon
Kieran Culkin	...	Patrick Muldoon Jr.
Allen Hamilton	...	O'Neal
Teri McEvoy	...	Susan Muldoon
Bernie Landis	...	Larry

Storyline

Danny, a cop, meets and falls in love with Theresa. They get engaged, despite sneaking around behind his mother's back, but when push comes to shove, he can't quite quit worrying about his mother long enough to be any kind of lover to Theresa.

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Plot Keywords:

catholic | comiskey park | irish american | mother son relationship | domineering mother | 

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Taglines:

The Man, The Woman, The Mother.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Irish Greek

Release Date:

24 May 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Yo, tú y mi mamá

Filming Locations:

Michigan Central Railroad Niles Depot, Niles, Michigan, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$21,830,957

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$25,092,802

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, Hughes Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When this film was released into theaters, Chris Columbus's previous film, Home Alone (1990), was still playing in theaters. At the end of the weekend, this film finished fourth at the box-office, while Home Alone (1990) finished eleventh.

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Goofs

Danny's brother tells him he got Danny's boss to "transfer him to a precinct in Florida." City police departments are self governing -- there is no way anyone in the Chicago police department could transfer anyone to a precinct in another city.

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Quotes

Danny: [takes both his mother and Theresa out to dinner for them to meet for the first time] Ma, this is Theresa. Theresa, this is my mother.
Theresa: [smiles, shaking her hand] Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Muldoon.
Rose: Rose. I'm Rose.
Theresa: Rose.
Rose: Mm-hmm. Oh, that's a lovely dress you're wearing.
Theresa: Oh, thank you.
Rose: Even though it is a little big on top.
Danny: Ma.
Rose: Well, it is. You said so yourself.
Theresa: No, that's a-a problem I have. I'm really not that endowed on top.
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Showbiz Today: Episode dated 22 May 1991 (1991)

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Soundtracks

My Wild Irish Rose
Written by Chauncey Olcott

User Reviews

Candy Shows His Human Side

Roles like this helped make big John Candy somewhat of a beloved figure in his time. He was good at playing big, lovable oafs that usually messed up but had a good heart.

Many times, as in here, he might appear jovial on the outside but inside he was a very lonely guy, hence the title. I'll bet a number of viewers could identify with him. In this film he plays "Danny Muldoon."

Ally Sheedy's character, "Theresa Luna," is sweet in the beginning but then becomes unfairly-demanding and annoying by the end. Maureen O'Hara did a fine job playing "Danny's" domineering mother, "Rose." She came out of retirement to do this film and did herself proud. Anthony Quinn's role was stupid.

This movie is billed as a comedy but I didn't find a lot of laughs in it. It's really more of a sentimental drama, and it works on that level. I always enjoy seeing comedians do drama, because they are so good at doing it. I'm sorry Candy didn't make a few more dramatic roles.