Only the Lonely (released on May 24, 1991) is a soulful and bittersweet romantic comedy that showcases the remarkable dramatic range of the legendary John Candy. Written and directed by Chris Columbus and produced by John Hughes, the film moves away from the slapstick chaos often associated with its creators to deliver a grounded, observant story about the suffocating grip of family loyalty.
It is a film that captures the sights and sounds of a working-class Chicago neighborhood with an affectionate, nostalgic lens, finding both humor and heartache in the struggle to grow up when you are already a grown man.
Danny Muldoon (Candy) is a kind-hearted, thirty-eight-year-old Chicago police officer who still lives with his overbearing, fiercely Irish mother, Rose (Maureen O’Hara in her final film role).
Rose is a woman of strong opinions and even stronger prejudices, whose life revolves around controlling her son’s domestic world.
Danny’s life is a predictable routine of patrol shifts with his partner (Jim Belushi) and tending to his mother’s every whim, until he meets Theresa Luna (Ally Sheedy). Theresa is a shy, introverted funeral home cosmetician who finally provides Danny with a spark of romantic hope.
As Danny and Theresa’s relationship blossoms, they must contend with the formidable shadow of Rose, who views Theresa as an interloper and a threat to her comfortable life.
The conflict is lightened by the presence of a charming neighbor, Nick (Anthony Quinn), who attempts to woo the stubborn Rose, and brief appearances by Danny’s nephews (Macaulay Culkin and Kieran Culkin).
Supporting turns by veterans like Bert Remsen add to the film’s rich community feel.
The narrative follows Danny as he is torn between his deep love for his mother and his desperate need for an independent life with Theresa.
The story reaches a poignant climax as Danny realizes that to truly love his mother, he must first find the courage to leave her, leading to a series of emotional confrontations and a final, hopeful step toward adulthood.
John Candy and Ally Sheedy in Only the Lonely (Photo/20th Century Fox)
Reception for Only the Lonely
Only the Lonely grossed $6 million on its opening weekend, finishing fifth at the box office. The top grossing film of the weekend was Backdraft, which earned $15.7 million on its first weekend.
The film would gross $21.8 million in its theatrical run.
Legacy
Only the Lonely is defined by its status as one of Candy’s most nuanced and personal performances, proving he was a formidable dramatic actor capable of immense vulnerability.
It is also remembered for marking the triumphant return of Hollywood legend O’Hara to the screen after a twenty-year retirement; her fierce, comedic, and ultimately moving portrayal of Rose served as a fitting late-career milestone.
The film is celebrated for its warm, “old-fashioned” storytelling style and its ability to treat its characters with dignity rather than caricature and it stands as a loving tribute to the late John Candy and his unique ability to find the extraordinary in the ordinary.
