The Great Buck Howard Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A law school dropout becomes the assistant to a has-been magician, proving that even the most mediocre magic act can teach you something about life, love, and George Takei.

🍿 The Great Buck Howard: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Law School Dropout

Troy Gable, pressured by his father to pursue a law career, impulsively drops out of law school. Restless and seeking a different path, he answers an advertisement for a personal assistant, hoping for an exciting change from his mundane life. This sets the stage for his unexpected journey into the world of show business.

The Great Buck Howard

Troy’s interview leads him to the ‘Great Buck Howard,’ a mentalist past his prime, still clinging to faded glory. Despite Buck’s prickly demeanor and the corny nature of his act, Troy is drawn to the allure of show business and takes the job. Together, they embark on a tour, playing to small crowds in small towns across America.

Cincinnati Comeback

Buck plans a major event in Cincinnati to revitalize his career, hiring a PR firm. The firm sends junior publicist Valerie, with whom Troy develops a romantic connection. During the event, Buck attempts to hypnotize an entire room, but media attention is diverted by a breaking news story, leaving Buck’s success unacknowledged. A scathing article further jeopardizes his comeback, leading to a collapse.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Troy Gable (Colin Hanks): A law school dropout who becomes the personal assistant to Buck Howard, seeking purpose and direction in his life.
• Buck Howard (John Malkovich): A fading mentalist clinging to his past fame, struggling to remain relevant in a changing entertainment landscape.
• Mr. Gable (Tom Hanks): Troy’s father, who disapproves of his son’s career choices and pushes him towards a more conventional path.
• Valerie Brennan (Emily Blunt): A junior publicist who becomes involved with Buck Howard’s comeback attempt and forms a relationship with Troy.
• Gil Bellamy (Ricky Jay): Former mentalist associate.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Buck Howard: “I love this town!” – Buck Howard’s enthusiastic greeting upon arriving in each new town, though often delivered with a hint of irony.
• Buck Howard: “That’s distilled water. I’m not an iron.” – A humorous complaint from Buck Howard, highlighting his eccentric demands and diva-like behavior.
• Mr. Gable: “You want to be a writer? You’re going to starve.” – Mr. Gable expresses his disapproval of Troy’s career choice.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $8 million
• Domestic Gross: $750,587
• Worldwide Gross: $900,689

💥 The Great Buck Howard Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed ‘The Great Buck Howard’! I went in expecting a light comedy, but I was pleasantly surprised by the heart and depth it offered. Malkovich is fantastic, and I loved watching Colin Hanks as he figures out his path. The Cincinnati scene with Jerry Springer and the aftermath were hilarious and poignant. It’s a feel-good movie with genuine moments.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of John Malkovich”
  • “Those interested in show business stories”
  • “Viewers who enjoy character-driven films”
  • “Audiences who appreciate light-hearted comedies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Some suggestive content”
  • “Thematic elements related to career struggles”

Professional Reviews

• The Hollywood Reporter: “While Malkovich delivers a wonderfully eccentric performance, the film itself struggles to find the magic in its premise. The story is predictable, and the characters, aside from Buck Howard, feel underdeveloped. Ultimately, it’s a charming but forgettable experience.
• Variety: ” ‘The Great Buck Howard’ is a lightweight but amiable comedy-drama. John Malkovich is wonderfully cast as the delusional, slightly pathetic mentalist, but the film lacks the depth to truly explore the themes it touches upon.
• Entertainment Weekly: “Malkovich is the standout, bringing a delightful mix of arrogance and vulnerability to the role. The movie is easy-going entertainment.

Audience Reactions

Malkovich’s performance as the Great Buck Howard is mesmerizing and hilarious.: Viewers consistently praise Malkovich’s acting, finding his portrayal of the aging mentalist both funny and touching.

The movie is a heartwarming story of self-discovery and finding your passion.: Many appreciate the film’s positive message about pursuing your dreams, even when they differ from expectations.

Overall Consensus: A charming but somewhat predictable comedy-drama, elevated by John Malkovich’s outstanding performance as the eccentric Great Buck Howard.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The character of Troy Gable is based on director Sean McGinly’s experiences as a road manager for The Amazing Kreskin.”
• “The movie features cameo appearances by various celebrities, highlighting the world of entertainment and celebrity culture.”
• “The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles was used to film the mass hypnosis scene, despite the scene being set in Cincinnati.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Great Buck Howard?

As of October 2024, ‘The Great Buck Howard’ is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability, as it may also be included in subscription packages from time to time. Physical copies (DVD and Blu-ray) can be found through online retailers such as Amazon and at many major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Great Buck Howard, you might like these similar films:

• Man on the Moon (1999): Both movies focus on the life and career of an eccentric performer and the people around them.
• The Truman Show (1998): Explores themes of manufactured reality and the illusion of control in the entertainment industry.
• Jerry Maguire (1996): Features a character in a transitional point, seeking a more meaningful purpose beyond money and fame.
• Almost Famous (2000): A young man goes on the road with performers, experiencing the highs and lows of a touring lifestyle.

🛒 The Great Buck Howard Related Products

• The Amazing Kreskin’s Ultimate Mental Power: Learn mentalism tricks and techniques from the legend himself, The Amazing Kreskin, whose career inspired the movie.
• Magic Kit for Beginners: A beginner’s magic kit to hone your own mentalist skills.
• Playing Card Set: A nice set of Bicycle playing cards. Perfect for card tricks or poker nights.
• John Malkovich Movie Collection (DVD): A collection of some of John Malkovich’s iconic movies to see more of his acting talent

🎧 Soundtrack

The Great Buck Howard features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “What the World Needs Now” – performed by John Malkovich

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Tom Hanks – Signing Autographs at The Great Buck Howard Screening in NYC

Ever wondered what it’s like at a movie premiere? Check out Tom Hanks signing autographs at ‘The Great Buck Howard’ screening! It’s cool to see how appreciative he is of his fans.

✨ Rate