Only the Lonely is a 1991 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Chris Columbus, produced by John Hughes, and stars John Candy, Maureen O'Hara (in her final theatrical film role), Ally Sheedy, Anthony Quinn, and James Belushi. The film is a comedic take on the premise established in the 1953 television play Marty and the 1955 film Marty, while the title comes from the song "Only the Lonely" by Roy Orbison. The story follows a bachelor police officer who is looking to settle down and start a family with a mortuary beautician, while coping with his controlling mother who wants him all to herself.

Plot

Chicago police officer Danny Muldoon is a lonely 38-year-old bachelor living with his overbearing mother, Rose. Since his father's death, Danny has carried the responsibility for his family, putting his brother Patrick through law school and caring for Rose, often imagining terrible things happening to her if he is not around to protect her. Patrick, now married with children, repeatedly urges Danny to stay single and move with Rose to Florida, while their neighbor Nick Acropolis persistently tries to court Rose himself.