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 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 38-year-old lonely bachelor living with his controlling mother, Rose. Danny has been responsible for his family since his father died, working to put his brother Patrick through law school and feeling responsible for caring for Rose, often envisioning her dying in horrible ways if he is not around to protect her. Patrick, despite having a wife and children, repeatedly tries to convince Danny to remain single and relocate to Florida with Rose, while her neighbor Nick Acropolis makes continuous attempts to date her.