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:

fantasy sequence | catholic | 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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Maureen O'Hara refused to sign the movie contract, though she loved the script, until she met co-star John Candy. Fortunately the two of them instantly created a strong rapport, and she hastily signed on the dotted line.

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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 John Candy: Comic Spirit (2005)

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Soundtracks

Ain't That a Kick in the Head
Written by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen
Performed by Dean Martin
Courtesy of Capitol Records
By Arrangement with CEMA Special Markets

User Reviews

Likable Candy and Sheedy but O'Hara the real star

Danny Muldoon (John Candy) is a good natured Chicago cop living with his racist mother Rose (Maureen O'Hara). He's always worried about his mom. She keeps rejecting the flirty Greek Nick Acropolis (Anthony Quinn). He and his partner Salvatore Buonarte (James Belushi) drive the prisoner wagon. His brother Patrick is happy to have Danny take care of mom and moving them to Florida. Danny falls for Theresa Luna (Ally Sheedy) who works at her father's funeral parlor. She's also lonely and extremely shy.

It's a light rom-com with lovable John Candy. Ally Sheedy is pretty quiet. I really love both actors and they project simple nice people. O'Hara has the funniest jokes. Surprisingly she is hilarious and provides the majority of the laughs. It's a shame that she disappeared from the movies for such a long time. She's the true breakout star of this movie.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Irish Greek

Release Date:

24 May 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Only the Lonely

Filming Locations:

Michigan Central Railroad Niles Depot, Niles, Michigan, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,997,993, 27 May 1991

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