Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- warm
- witty
- sentimental
- lazy sunday
- date night
What critics said
Critics generally found the film amiable and sincere, with John Candy's performance providing warmth, though the uneven script produced mixed overall reviews.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Danny's inability to prioritize Theresa over Rose drives the engagement conflict and comic tension.
Danny's police work, family life, and relationships are rooted in a specifically Chicago working-class milieu.
Danny wants a committed relationship with Theresa but cannot stop worrying about his mother long enough to function as a partner.
The film combines Danny's comic romantic complications with Rose's importance and the characters' fear of being alone.
Films like Only the Lonely, and why
Moonstruck
romantic comedy built around an emotionally immature protagonist and family interference
The Goodbye Girl
warm character comedy about romance, loneliness, and difficult family relationships
Marty
working-class romantic comedy balancing broad humor with sincere emotional vulnerability
Movie Details
- Director
- Chris Columbus
- Release Date
- 1991-05-24
- Runtime
- 104 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (204)
Cast
- John Candy
- Maureen O'Hara
- Ally Sheedy
- Kevin Dunn
- Milo O'Shea
- Bert Remsen
- Anthony Quinn
- Jim Belushi
- Joe Greco
- Marvin J. McIntyre
Common questions
- What is Only the Lonely about?
- A Chicago police officer's chance at love is threatened by his inability to loosen his lifelong devotion to his domineering mother.
- What is Only the Lonely like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Only the Lonely as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Only the Lonely violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Only the Lonely as mild.
- What did critics think of Only the Lonely?
- Critics generally found the film amiable and sincere, with John Candy's performance providing warmth, though the uneven script produced mixed overall reviews.
- Which films are like Only the Lonely?
- Films with a similar feel include Moonstruck, The Goodbye Girl, and Marty.
- How long is Only the Lonely?
- Only the Lonely runs 104 minutes.
