Review of The Great Buck Howard (2008) by Justin V — 09 Jan 2012

The Great Buck Howard is an amazing film that is a tribute to the glory days of show business and entertainment. More importantly the film is an interesting way for one to see what itâ??s like to hang on to those ever important â??15 minutesâ?? that no celebrity ever wants to relinquish.

Buck Howard (two-time Academy Award nominee John Malkovich) is a mentalist and has been for many years. Entertaining and befuddling audiences the world over, Buck was a favorite of Johnny Carson and called upon his act, good for 61 appearances on the Tonight Show. Since those days things have slowed down quite a bit â?? instead of bringing smiles to viewers in homes across America, Buck now plays to half-empty auditoriums in places such as Akron, Ohio and Bakersfield, California. Itâ??s obvious that Buckâ??s star has dimmed but heâ??s either completely clueless to that fact or heâ??s in full denial of it.

Buck, though, is itching for comeback. Heâ??s been secretly working on a new trick that can bring him back up from obscurity and into the big leagues where he once was. He needs new blood, though, to help him organize his comeback â?? in the form of a new assistant/road manager to help him along the way.

That new assistant and road manager is young Troy Gable (Colin Hanks, King Kong & The House Bunny), a recent law school dropout and current lost soul. As far back as Troy can remember he was raised to fulfill his fatherâ??s dream of becoming a lawyer. The fact that heâ??s essentially working towards someone elseâ??s hopes and dreams has resulted in his breakdown and leaving law school mid-semester. Fearing the wrath and scorn of his father (Tom Hanks, in a small role) Troy takes off for Hollywood to pursue his own dream of becoming a writer. In the meantime Troy agrees to work for Buck, travelling across the country with him and making sure that all of Buckâ??s needs are met â?? because after all, he is the â??greatâ?? Buck Howard.

The film is shown and narrated from Troyâ??s perspective - Colin Hanks is able to play him with great subtlety, believability and innocence. Even though Troy is relegated to menial tasks such as fetching Buckâ??s water, separating Buckâ??s black & white head shots from his color ones, and carrying Buckâ??s luggage, heâ??d have it no other way. Heâ??s taking a shot at life on his own terms and whether good or for bad they are his experiences â?? no one elseâ??s. His growth from boy to man is administered by his new and unlikely teacher, Buck. The many lessons that Troy takes from him and his experiences on the road will last a lifetime. Troy certainly wonâ??t learn any of this in a classroom.

With the help of attractive P.R. Valerie Brennan (Emily Blunt, The Devil Wears Prada & Sunshine Cleaning), Buckâ??s resurrection is imminent. Almost overnight, Buck becomes the talk of the town and heâ??s an in-demand act again. But with the changing times and the timeless idea of performing â??â?¦ for the love of it,â?? Troy questions this newfound status. In the end the only magic that Buck needs to perform is one that will help him determine where he really belongs - help him find his true home.

John Malkovich is probably the only actor who couldâ??ve played Buck. The arrogance and impatience of a man who still relies on his past celebrity status can only be fully displayed by Malkovich, an actor known to play angry characters with the upmost verve and passion. Emily Blunt is dazzling again as she continually fools audiences into believing she was born and raised in the States.

Written and directed by Sean McGinly, The Great Buck Howard is a delightful film. His script is inspired by his experiences as road manager for the Amazing Kreskin. The film itself is dedicated to Kreskin. McGinly is direct and earnest in his depiction of not just washed up celebrities but of show business in general. Ultimately, The Great Buck Howard is a treat that is both touching and humorous. Its small commentary into the so-called importance of celebrity is something to look for here. Also the film message that one should do things for oneself rather than to please others is something that anyone can get behind.