Only the Lonely Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A mama’s boy cop finds love with a mortician, but his overbearing Irish mother makes sure everyone’s miserable until, plot twist, she kind of doesn’t at the end.

🍿 Only the Lonely: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction: Danny’s Life

Danny Muldoon, a 38-year-old Chicago cop, lives with his overbearing Irish mother, Rose. He’s a good man, but his mother’s constant neediness and guilt trips have prevented him from finding love. His brother, Patrick, is married and wants Danny and Rose to move to Florida, but Danny is hesitant to leave Chicago.

Meeting Theresa

Danny meets Theresa Luna, a shy and sweet cosmetologist who works at her family’s funeral home. He’s immediately smitten, and they start dating. Theresa is different from anyone Danny has ever met, and he finds himself falling in love. However, their relationship is complicated by Rose’s disapproval. She doesn’t think Theresa is good enough for her son and makes her feelings known.

Mother vs. Girlfriend

Rose actively tries to sabotage Danny and Theresa’s relationship, making rude comments and constantly needing Danny’s attention. Theresa feels like she’s always second to Rose, and she demands that Danny choose between them. Danny is torn between his loyalty to his mother and his love for Theresa, causing tension and heartbreak.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Danny Muldoon (John Candy): A lonely Chicago cop torn between his loyalty to his overbearing mother and his burgeoning romance with a shy woman.
• Rose Muldoon (Maureen O’Hara): Danny’s controlling Irish mother who disapproves of his romantic relationships and tries to keep him under her thumb.
• Theresa Luna (Ally Sheedy): A shy and gentle funeral home worker who falls in love with Danny but struggles with his devotion to his mother.
• Patrick Muldoon (Kevin Dunn): Danny’s brother, a lawyer, who wants to relocate their mother to Florida and encourages Danny to break free.
• Nick Acropolis (Anthony Quinn): The charming Greek neighbor who persistently woos Rose, offering her a chance at love and companionship.
• Salvatore Buonarte (Jim Belushi): Danny’s police partner, offering comedic relief and cynical advice on relationships.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Rose Muldoon: “Where are her breasts?” – Rose’s blunt and judgmental comment when first meeting Theresa, highlighting her critical nature.
• Rose Muldoon: “What if it’s a rapist dressed like Elmer Fudd?” – Rose’s paranoid question when Danny tells her he has a date on Halloween, showcasing her overprotectiveness.
• Rose Muldoon: “Just tell me she’s not Sicilian.” – Rose says this exhibiting her prejudices when Danny is trying to convince her to meet Theresa.
• Danny Muldoon: “It pays to be a cop.” – Danny says this often, referring to the perks of being a police officer in Chicago.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $21,830,957
• Worldwide Gross: $25,092,802

💥 Only the Lonely Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely love this movie! John Candy is so endearing, and Maureen O’Hara is hilarious as his mother. I found myself laughing and tearing up at different points. The scene where Danny imagines all the terrible things that could happen to his mother is so funny, but then the ending where he finally stands up for himself is really heartwarming. It’s a feel-good movie with a great message about family and love.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of John Candy”
  • “Viewers who enjoy romantic comedies”
  • “Anyone who appreciates stories about family dynamics”
  • “Fans of Maureen O’Hara”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some strong language”
  • “Mild adult themes”
  • “Bigotry”

Professional Reviews

• Chicago Sun-Times: “Candy delivers a sensitive performance as a man torn between his love for a woman and his devotion to his mother. O’Hara is delightfully feisty as the mother, stealing scenes with her sharp wit.
• Variety: “A heartwarming rom-com led by two wonderful performances. A bit too sentimental at times but succeeds due to the casting choices.

Audience Reactions

Maureen O’Hara’s portrayal of the overbearing mother is both hilarious and terrifying.: The chemistry between John Candy and Ally Sheedy felt genuine and sweet.

Overall Consensus: A heartwarming and funny romantic comedy with strong performances, particularly from John Candy and Maureen O’Hara.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Maureen O’Hara came out of retirement after 20 years to play Rose Muldoon. Chris Columbus wrote the part specifically for her.”
• “John Candy was reportedly furious that the production didn’t provide Maureen O’Hara with her own trailer, so he gave her his.”
• “Macaulay Culkin and Kieran Culkin, who play Danny Muldoon’s nephews, appeared in the movie before their breakout roles.”
• “The film uses Chicago locations to give it an authentic feel. The filming locations included 212 S Halsted St in Chicago, Illinois, USA, where Dianna’s restaurant is situated.”

🖥️ How to Watch Only the Lonely?

Only the Lonely is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for availability as it may vary by region. You can also find DVD and Blu-ray copies through online retailers like Amazon and local stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Only the Lonely, you might like these similar films:

• Marty (1955): A similarly themed film about a lonely bachelor struggling to find love and overcome social pressures, specifically family expectations.
• Moonstruck (1987): Another romantic comedy set in an ethnic neighborhood (Italian-American) with a focus on family dynamics and finding love.
• Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987): A John Candy classic where he showcases his ability to be both funny and human, similar to Only the Lonely.
• Mother (1996): A comedy about a writer who moves back in with his mother to figure out why his relationships with women always fail.

🛒 Only the Lonely Related Products

• Only the Lonely [DVD]: Own the classic rom-com on DVD and relive the hilarious and heartwarming story of Danny and Theresa.
• The Essential John Candy Collection: A collection featuring some of John Candy’s most iconic films, including Only the Lonely.
• Official Only the Lonely Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the original movie poster, perfect for decorating your home theater.
• The Quiet Man [Blu-ray]: Celebrate Maureen O’Hara’s legendary career with one of her most famous films in Blu-ray.

🎧 Soundtrack

Only the Lonely features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Only the Lonely” – performed by Roy Orbison

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

🤨 FAQ

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