Only The Lonely (1991)

Set in Chicago, a 38 year old Irish cop (John Candy) still lives at home with his mother (Maureen O'Hara), who's very possessive of him. But when he falls in love with a cosmetician (Ally Sheedy) in a funeral home, he begins to hope for a new life. But what to do about mother? Despite the comedic Candy's presence in the lead role, the film isn't an all out comedy. It treads MARTY territory balancing some genuinely poignant aspects with the milder comic moments. The film could have used some toughening up. It dances around the darker aspects of the story while eventually giving in to a pat romcom ending. As an actress, there was always something darkly unconventional about Sheedy which is a blessing for a film like this, her abstruse quality paired with the cuddly Candy prevents the film from getting too mawkish. It's a treat to see O'Hara in a major role though her frumpy clothes and ugly hats can't disguise her movie star beauty. Her old co-star Anthony Quinn (they made 5 films together) pops up as the lusty Greek neighbor with eyes for her. Directed by Chris Columbus (GREMLINS). With James Belushi, Milo O'Shea, Kevin Dunn and Macaulay Culkin.