Irishchatter AIfter watching Marty with Ernest Borgnine, I have to say this movie wouldn't have made it without these two legends (RIP to them both). I really like how Candy is taking a break from his usual comedy stuff to showing his sweet side! Maureen OHara was great at playing a typical Irish mammy who would drive you up the walls with marriage! I love how she has a Greek lover who helps Candy's characters lover hidden away from her. I really laughed when she did a karate chop on one of the terrorist with Candys characters thoughts and telling him she'll be alright with her Greek lover haha. It's hard to believe that scene showed a terriost airplane diaster like 9/11 to happen 10 years later after this film. It is just crazy that a film like this would show what will happen in the future!This movie was sad as well being romantic because, I really thought Candy and Ally Sheedy's characters were going to be husband and wife midway through the film but they had to call it off since OHara's character still wasn't too impressed with him marrying her cause she's not Irish. It was dissapointing but hey, at least all couples including them lived happily ever after!I give this 8/10 as its really good, watch it if you're bored!

Predrag "Only the Lonely" is actually a very interesting film, featuring on a procession of lonely people. As much as the Roy Orbison title song sums up the plot, so would "Eleanor Rigby" ... "All the lonely people, where do they all come from? All the lonely people, where do they all belong?" Through Candy's terrific performance (by far, the best of his all-too-short career), we find out that Danny is actually a very good guy - a hard worker who himself sacrificed so his younger brother could go to law school, a dutiful son who, even 25 years later, still feels regrets over his father's inabilities to make it big in business. In short, a big lug who would be a great catch for a girl like Teresa. Ally Sheedy also does a fine job with Teresa. I have read reviews describing this character as "muted," "inconspicuous" and "apologetic," which I think totally miss the point, which is actually explained in a scene early in the movie. I think Sheedy actually nailed this character trait very well. She's pretty, neither drop-dead gorgeous nor an ugly duckling. Later, we learn a little more about her dreams and aspirations and of course we realize she and Danny are perfect for each other, if only they can figure it out and find their way around Rose.The story is pleasant and worth your money, Candy & O'Hara work well together (who would have thought she would outlive him!) but the real power of the film is her interaction with Anthony Quinn. Classic film buffs like myself will get a real charge out of Quinn once again pursuing O'Hara, but this time without an Errol Flynn as a rival. That sub plot is at least as interesting as the main one and for my money is better. It is classic Maureen O'Hara, the strong woman who is chased by the strong man and frankly is a great contrast to the the exact opposite situation between Candy & Sheedy. Maybe with this movie it can teach you a few things to say & do so your ending will come out happy just like the movie!! Overall rating: 8 out of 10.

namashi_1 'Only the Lonely' is an okay film, that rides on the late/great John Candy's undeniable talent. The talented actor, pitches in a likable performance, that dominates the film. 'Only the Lonely' Synopsis: A Chicago cop must balance loyalty to his overbearing mother and a relationship with a shy funeral home worker.Besides Candy's likable performance, 'Only the Lonely' also manages to get in some cute/funny moments. The characters are nicely written & the Screenplay overall, has some niceness to it. But, the slow-pace as well as the length, needed some serious persuasion. The pace is slow & the film is lengthy by at least 15-minutes. Chris Columbus's Direction is fair. Cinematography is standard. Editing isn't crisp.Performance-Wise: Candy is the life of 'Only the Lonely'. Maureen O'Hara is theatrical. Ally Sheedy is cute. Anthony Quinn & James Belushi appear in brief roles.On the whole, 'Only the Lonely' is a yet another example of how great an actor John Candy was.

Ruby Liang (ruby_fff) w-d Chris Columbus' 1991 "Only the Lonely" does seem like an updated version of 'Marty', but there is much fun and humor (and in color, too) from the 'Home Alone' neighborhood of filmmaker John Hughes. (A Hughes Entertainment production presented by Twentieth Century Fox). It's a lively cast, with unsuspecting action-oriented scenes (stunts) for screen siren Maureen O'Hara, coming out of retirement for this endearing 'rom-com'.Watching John Candy playing the romantic leading man, Danny, is absolute fun - catch those phrasing and selective wording he delivers with such ease. It's comfortable following him and James Belushi, his cop partner Sal, on their beat, eavesdropping on his banters with the neighbors at the bistro, and how he 'good-naturedly' puts up with his mom, Maureen O'Hara, with her constant cautionary instructions. Then we see him meeting Theresa, intuitively played by Ally Sheedy. 'tis diverting co-incidence that she works as a mortician at her father's funeral parlor. The contrasting shyness (hesitant 'introvert' demeanor) and the occasional boldness (mustered energy in 'standing up for herself') she skillfully demonstrated. It was almost like god-send pairing between Candy and Sheedy, the way they play off each other, the genuine gentle fondness for the other in this seemingly unlikely romance we dearly root for them both, against all odds. Well, the one monumental obstacle being his mother, Rose.Director Columbus incorporated his 'Home Alone' prankster elements into brief dream segments, letting us in on Danny's gnawing frustration and ever-worrying about his mom's well-being. He is still very much his mama's boy, and O'Hara's Rose wouldn't let him lose that focus. So we have the Nemesis well-established and how will Danny and Theresa overcome this and be married happily ever after? "Only the Lonely" is most enjoyable. The supporting cast included Anthony Quinn as Nick, the Greek neighbor who yearns for Rose. Kevin Dunn is Danny's lawyer brother with family (there's a glimpse of the Culkin brothers, Macaulay and Kieran, running in the yard) and scheming at a Florida move for Danny and Mom. There are plot twists, alright, and in-family strives, and relationship doubts and angst. There's also the wonderful moments of courtship, with music by Maurice Jarre (seasoned composer at romance: "Dr. Zhivago" 1965, "Ryan's Daughter" 1970, "A Walk in the Clouds" 1995), and of course, Roy Obison's song "Only the Lonely" we get to hear and 'dum-dum-dum-dumdy-doo-wah' along with. A charming romantic comedy and John Candy movie, highly recommended.Other worthwhile romantic comedies come to mind: "Return to Me" (2000) director-screenwriter & story Bonnie Hunt (also acted with David Duchovny, Minnie Driver and James Belushi); "Keeping the Faith" (2000) director-producer Edward Norton (also acted with Ben Stiller, Jenna Elfman, and Anne Bancroft, Eli Wallach). Also recall a 'small' sweet movie caught on cable TV, "I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore" (1992) - Jason Alexander turned in an impressive performance as Bernie, who met Theresa, played by Nia Peeples, directed by Robert Marcarelli, and Lainie Kazan, Eileen Brennan included in the cast. All are available on DVD.