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The Great Buck Howard

  • 20082008
  • PGPG
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
14K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
John Malkovich and Colin Hanks in The Great Buck Howard (2008)
The Great Buck Howard Trailer
Play trailer2:37
1 Video
67 Photos
  • Adventure
  • Comedy
  • Drama

A young man, much to the chagrin of his father, becomes the new assistant to an illusionist in decline.A young man, much to the chagrin of his father, becomes the new assistant to an illusionist in decline.A young man, much to the chagrin of his father, becomes the new assistant to an illusionist in decline.

IMDb RATING
6.4/10
14K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Sean McGinly
  • Writer
    • Sean McGinly
  • Stars
    • Colin Hanks
    • John Malkovich
    • Tom Hanks
Top credits
  • Director
    • Sean McGinly
  • Writer
    • Sean McGinly
  • Stars
    • Colin Hanks
    • John Malkovich
    • Tom Hanks
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 52User reviews
    • 79Critic reviews
    • 63Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    The Great Buck Howard
    Trailer 2:37
    The Great Buck Howard

    Photos67

    John Malkovich, Colin Hanks, and Ricky Jay in The Great Buck Howard (2008)
    Steve Zahn and Colin Hanks in The Great Buck Howard (2008)
    Griffin Dunne and Colin Hanks in The Great Buck Howard (2008)
    Sean McGinly in The Great Buck Howard (2008)
    John Malkovich, Steve Zahn, Colin Hanks, and Emily Blunt in The Great Buck Howard (2008)
    John Malkovich in The Great Buck Howard (2008)
    Tom Hanks and Colin Hanks in The Great Buck Howard (2008)
    Colin Hanks and Emily Blunt in The Great Buck Howard (2008)
    Emily Blunt in The Great Buck Howard (2008)
    Adam Scott and Colin Hanks in The Great Buck Howard (2008)
    John Malkovich in The Great Buck Howard (2008)
    Colin Hanks in The Great Buck Howard (2008)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Colin Hanks
    Colin Hanks
    • Troy Gableas Troy Gable
    John Malkovich
    John Malkovich
    • Buck Howardas Buck Howard
    Tom Hanks
    Tom Hanks
    • Mr. Gableas Mr. Gable
    Emily Blunt
    Emily Blunt
    • Valerie Brennanas Valerie Brennan
    Ricky Jay
    Ricky Jay
    • Gil Bellamyas Gil Bellamy
    Steve Zahn
    Steve Zahn
    • Kennyas Kenny
    Griffin Dunne
    Griffin Dunne
    • Jonathan Finermanas Jonathan Finerman
    Debra Monk
    Debra Monk
    • Doreenas Doreen
    Adam Scott
    Adam Scott
    • Alan Berkmanas Alan Berkman
    Patrick Fischler
    Patrick Fischler
    • Michael Perryas Michael Perry
    Wallace Langham
    Wallace Langham
    • Dan Greenas Dan Green
    Jonathan Ames
    Jonathan Ames
    • Edward Kellyas Edward Kelly
    Jacquie Barnbrook
    Jacquie Barnbrook
    • Sheila Helleras Sheila Heller
    Paul Darricarrere
    • Restaurant Manageras Restaurant Manager
    Terry Scannell
    • Kipas Kip
    Matt Hoey
    • Charleyas Charley
    Jobi Graham
    • Tall Guyas Tall Guy
    B.J. Hendricks
    B.J. Hendricks
    • Burlyas Burly
    • Director
      • Sean McGinly
    • Writer
      • Sean McGinly
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —Anonymous
    • reference to kelly ripa
    • scene during end credits
    • looking at oneself in a mirror
    • character name as title
    • buck howard character
    • 166 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Get ready for the comeback of a lifetime.
    • Genres
      • Adventure
      • Comedy
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG for some language including suggestive remarks, and a drug reference
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The character of "Troy Gable" is based on director Sean McGinly's experiences as road manager for The Amazing Kreskin, on which The Great Buck Howard is loosely based.
    • Goofs
      The scene with the mass hypnosis, supposedly in Cincinnati, is clearly in the main lobby of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. The banner with Placido Domingo's name is even clearly seen hanging outside.
    • Quotes

      Buck Howard: That's distilled water. I'm not an iron.

    • Connections
      Edited from The Jerry Springer Show (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      What the World Needs Now
      Written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach

      Performed by John Malkovich

    User reviews52

    Review
    Top review
    5/10
    Colin Hanks is flat and uninspired in this otherwise decent film.
    I think the film would have been great if they cast someone besides Colin Hanks. He is undeniably mediocre in this role. He performance is flat and drab and when I see him perform I can not help but think how much better the scene would be if someone else starred. I don't have a problem with this kid trying to cut his teeth in acting but do we all have to watch him learn to act on film. Seriously does Colin's dad Tom Hanks have to manufacture films just so his kid can have and acting career. I know Hollywood is nothing more than nepotism as a business but when the actor really doesn't cut it it's all the more insulting to the public and shame on the director for not trying to get more out of him.
    helpful•26
    14
    • bruce-273
    • Jul 22, 2009

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 10, 2009 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Bеликий Бак Говард
    • Filming locations
      • Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
    • Production companies
      • Bristol Bay Productions
      • Playtone
      • Great Buck Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $750,587
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $115,004
      • Mar 22, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $900,689
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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