The Great Buck Howard
A directionless law dropout becomes the reluctant right hand of an abrasive magician chasing one last shot at fame.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- bittersweet
- lazy sunday
- light comedy night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film a charming, lightly biting show-business comedy elevated by John Malkovich's performance and Emily Blunt's warmth.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Buck Howard travels from venue to venue staging an ambitious return to prominence after becoming a has-been magician.
Troy's assistant work reveals the logistical and emotional machinery behind Buck's magic act and public persona.
Law school dropout Troy uses the assistant job as a path toward a still-undefined future while navigating Buck's volatile career.
Magic shows, touring venues, stage entrances, and crowd reactions provide the film's central dramatic environment.
Films like The Great Buck Howard, and why
Bowfinger
shared show-business satire, comeback narrative, witty ensemble chemistry, and warm dramatic undercurrent
The Dresser
shared theatrical performance world, eccentric personalities, workplace camaraderie, and bittersweet humor
The Producers
shared character-driven comedy, professional ambition, and affectionate backstage atmosphere
The Cooler
shared road movie structure, offbeat performers, and gentle exploration of failed ambitions
Movie Details
- Director
- Sean McGinly
- Release Date
- 2008-01-18
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (282)
Cast
- John Malkovich
- Emily Blunt
- Steve Zahn
- Tom Hanks
- Colin Hanks
- Patrick Fischler
- Ricky Jay
- Griffin Dunne
- Debra Monk
- Adam Scott
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Great Buck Howard about?
- A directionless law dropout becomes the reluctant right hand of an abrasive magician chasing one last shot at fame.
- What is The Great Buck Howard like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Great Buck Howard as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Great Buck Howard violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Great Buck Howard.
- What did critics think of The Great Buck Howard?
- Critics broadly found the film a charming, lightly biting show-business comedy elevated by John Malkovich's performance and Emily Blunt's warmth.
- Which films are like The Great Buck Howard?
- Films with a similar feel include Bowfinger, The Dresser, The Producers, and The Cooler.
- How long is The Great Buck Howard?
- The Great Buck Howard runs 90 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Great Buck Howard?
- In United States, The Great Buck Howard streams on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel.
