The Great Buck Howard

[Michael L.]

I watched the HDNet Movies preview of The Great Buck Howard, so I missed the full theater experience. In all seriousness, though, this is not the kind of movie that needs 16 channel sound or a 25 foot screen. In fact, it really didn't need the full capabilities of my 42" HD TV because it is a nice, small character driven film. No explosions, no ninjas, not even any nudity (sorry Figs). It has almost as many cameo appearances as The Muppet Movie, though.

Colin Hanks is a law school dropout named Troy who lucks (stumbles?) into a job with The Great Buck Howard, a mentalist who he has never heard of despite the fact he was once a fairly big performer. John Malkovich plays Buck Howard, who is a fading star and more than a bit of a jerk but ultimately (and this is critical) Malkovich keeps him likable. The movie is simply the story of Troy's time with Buck as he attempts to stage a comeback and again return to The Tonight Show (where he has appeared 61 times, but never with Leno).

It is a great little film that will entertain not only you magic types but also your non-magical better halves. In fact, they might even like it better than you because chances are there is something about Buck that they will see in your magic friends (or you)!