The Great Buck Howard Movie Cast, Plot and Everything to Know

Amy Renner

Last modified: Jul. 24, 2009

The Great Buck Howard

Release Date: Friday, March 20, 2009 Limited

Director: Sean McGinly

Starring: Colin Hanks • Tom Hanks • Kevin Kline • John Malkovich • Emily Blunt

PG Comedy 1 hr, 27 m

4 / 5.0

57% WILL SEE 43% WON'T SEE

Rent or buy

Plot – What's the story about?

Plot: Once upon a time, Buck Howard spent his days in the limelight. His mind-boggling feats as a mentalist extraordinaire - not to be confused with those of a mere magician - earned him a marquee act in Vegas and 61 appearances on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. In his own humble opinion, his talents go far beyond simple sleight of hand - he can read minds and hypnotize not just a single soul but an entire room of people! But nowadays, it's clear to everyone but Buck that his act has lost its luster; he performs in faded community centers and hasn't sold out a theater in years. Yet, with a hearty handshake and a trademark "I love this town!" Buck Howard perseveres, confident in his own celebrity, convinced his comeback is imminent. He just needs a new road manager and personal assistant. As it turns out, recent law school drop-out and unemployed, would-be writer Troy Gable needs a job and a purpose. Working for the pompous, has-been mentalist fills the former requirement, but how it satisfies the latter is questionable, especially to his father, who still assumes Troy is in law school. Nonetheless, with the aid of a fiery publicist and a bold stroke of fate, Buck surprisingly lands back into the American consciousness, taking Troy along for the ride of his life. As the coveted spotlight again shines on the great Buck Howard, Buck becomes the unlikeliest of teachers as Troy learns a few tricks he couldn't possibly have picked up in law school.

Comedy Drama

Snap poll

Will you see The Great Buck Howard?

57% of people who rated this movie are planning to watch it.

43% of people have indicated they do not plan to see this movie.

Watched it? Share Your Rating!

Who stars in The Great Buck Howard – Cast List

C
Colin Hanks
Nuremberg, Nobody 2
Tom Hanks
Toy Story 5, Finch
Kevin Kline
The Good House, The Starling
John Malkovich
Fantastic Four: The First Steps, Secretariat
Emily Blunt
Disclosure Day, The Devil Wears Prada 2

Who is making The Great Buck Howard – Crew List

The film's writer Sean McGinly last penned The Old Man and the Gun.

Director: Sean McGinly
Screenwriter: Sean McGinly
Producers: Gary Goetzman
Tom Hanks
Sidney Kimmel

Studios: Magnolia Pictures
Production Company: Bristol Bay Productions
Playtone
Sidney Kimmel Entertainment

Production – What we know about the The Great Buck Howard

Key Facts

Tom Hanks will also make a special appearance in the film playing his son Colin's on-screen father.

Movie Filming Timeline: Production Status Updates

Jan 2009

Completed

Changed The Great Buck Howard movie production status. The movie is ready for release.

Have updates about The Great Buck Howard? We'd love to hear from you!

Submit update

Additional Information

Parent Rating: PG Parental Guidance Suggested for some language including suggestive remarks, and a drug reference
Runtime: 1 hr, 27 m
Tagline: Not available
Also known as: Not available
Language: English

The Great Buck Howard Trailers and Clips

No trailers are currently available.

The Great Buck Howard Release Date: When was the film released?

The Great Buck Howard was released in limited movie theaters on Friday, March 20 , 2009. The film was released in approximately 55 theaters. There were nine other movies released on the same date, including Duplicity, Knowing and Sunshine Cleaning. As a limited release, The Great Buck Howard was shown in select movie theaters in major markets.