Why John Hughes' final directorial effort, Curly Sue, remains a polarizing cinematic relic
In short: Released in 1991, Curly Sue was the last film directed by John Hughes. While it became a modest box office success, the comedy-drama faced harsh critical reception, with some reviewers labeling it manipulative. Yet, the film remains a curious artifact of 90s sentimentality, featuring an early debut by Steve Carell.
Curly Sue tells the story of Bill Dancer, a homeless con artist, and his young orphan companion, Sue, as they navigate life in Chicago. Their path crosses with Grey Ellison, a wealthy divorce lawyer, after a staged car accident leads to an unlikely bond. The film explores themes of found family and social disparity, culminating in a legal adoption that provides the duo with a stable home. Despite the heartwarming premise, the production was reportedly fraught with tension; lead actress Kelly Lynch described the set as difficult, noting that Hughes and co-star James Belushi struggled to get along during the five-month shoot.
The film's reception remains sharply divided. Critics were largely dismissive, with Rotten Tomatoes currently recording a 13% approval rating. Reviewers like Nigel Andrews of the Financial Times famously panned it as non-biodegradable tosh, while Leonard Maltin criticized it as a formulaic effort that failed to land. However, Roger Ebert offered a more sympathetic perspective, praising the warmth of the performances and the film's heart. This disagreement famously spilled over onto the television show At the Movies, where Gene Siskel expressed disbelief at Ebert's positive assessment, citing a lack of chemistry between the leads.
Commercially, the film performed steadily, grossing over $33.6 million against a $25 million budget. It debuted at number two at the box office in October 1991 and managed to climb to the top spot in its third weekend. While it never achieved the critical acclaim of Hughes' earlier work, the film holds a B+ grade from audiences surveyed by CinemaScore. Today, it is remembered as a final chapter in the career of a director who defined a generation of American comedy, even if this particular entry failed to capture the same cultural magic as his previous hits.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Curly Sue
- Also: Wikidata — Curly Sue · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Curly Sue · CC0
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