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:

Colin Hanks, John Malkovich, Tom Hanks

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.

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Plot Keywords:

reference to kelly ripa | scene during end credits | looking at oneself in a mirror | character name as title | buck howard character | 

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Taglines:

Greatness is a state of mind.

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The way Buck Howard finds his check at the end of his show, is not the way The Amazing Kreskin (on whose career the movie is loosely based) used and still uses. The method was depicted differently, probably for dramatic purposes.

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Goofs

Alan asks a host to show "Troy and I" around (instead of "Troy and me") near the beginning of the movie.

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Quotes

Buck Howard: Troy you can bring that, and... toss my salad when you get back to the hotel.

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Connections

References Late Show with David Letterman (1993)

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Soundtracks

Telling the Truth and Going Away
Written, Produced and Performed by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

User Reviews

You think you've failed at life? Buck Howard will show your path

Houdini was once approached by a student who told him, "I know hundreds of card tricks, how many do you know?" Houdini replied, "Five, and I have dedicated my entire life to learning how to entertain an audience with them".

Buck Howard is a dried up celebrity struggling for his last gasp of fame. Almost forty years ago, Johnny Carson gave Buck Howard the title "The Great Buck Howard" and it stuck. Unfortunately, those years have left their mark and Buck is no longer 'Great'. Despite his tired jokes, sappy piano clap-along songs and magic acts he manages to attract small crowds at far-flung venues in the middle of America. The performances are always "One Night Only", as there would never be enough seat-fillers for a second. So what is exactly that keeps him going?

Colin Hanks plays Troy Gable, a law school dropout looking for a detour to finally get the answer to what he is meant to do in life. Will be able to counsel him a unbalanced magician -or mentalist-?

Nicely done, this film is funny and likable. A modern story about life dreams, the fierce entertainment industry, and the sadness that hides behind a bad temperamental person. Every well-known actor that appears in this film,even if they play short cameo roles, plays an important part.

It's quite a gentle, unusual comedy, so morals behind this movie are hard to get. However, this is a good film worth watching and definitely should be shown as an example of outstanding acting from Malkovich to Star Trek actor George Takei.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 April 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Great Buck Howard

Filming Locations:

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$115,004, 22 March 2009

Gross USA:

$750,587

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$900,689

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