Uncle Buck

Okay, you guys are gonna pose as my video-journalism class

while I practice my presentation.

Ah! We're gonna watch a movie.

That's when I used to sleep in class.

Scoot over, Maizy. Let me stretch out.

- Can I be the teacher? - Sure.

I thought I was gonna be the teacher.

- - You both can be the teacher.

- Great. Class dismissed. - I agree with my colleague.

Y'all sit down. Now, this is important to your sister,

which means it's probably boring, but we'll be supportive.

"In today's society,

we seldom take the time to explore our roots.

So I've chosen to make a documentary

on the Chicago neighborhood

where my dad and my Uncle Buck grew up."

South Side represent!

"So sit back and enjoy 'Chicago? Chicag-no.'"

The South Side of Chicago.

Only fear blows through this Windy City.

With crime at an all-time high, it's amazing

that President Obama and R. Kelly got out.

What the hell?

And so as the sun sets on Wright Park,

so do the hopes of most of its residents.

What'd you guys think?

If that was a video game, I wouldn't be allowed to buy it.

I closed my eyes.

What happened after they tear-gassed those people?

The old neighborhood is nothing like that.

Y'all ain't ever been there.

I don't need to. I Googled it.

Google ain't ever been there either.

The Google car goes everywhere.

Trust me, the Google car don't know nothing.

You can't argue with statistics.

The hell I can't!

Where were the families, men playing cards,

old women making sure kids get home safe?

Probably dead.

I mean, didn't you see the documentary?

You kids don't have no idea where you came from.

- - How did that happen?

Honey, that was a great SoulCycle sesh.

I'll go get that truffle risotto going.

And I'll start looking

for "Sound of Music" sing-along tickets!

Ooh!

Hey, guys.

- Ahh! - Oh. There it is.

Oh, my.

Look. Look at this.

Can you believe this is

what Tia thinks about our old neighborhood?

She's completely wrong.

Did I see "Walking Dead" footage in there?

Oh, that was "Thriller."

White zombies don't get down like this.

In her defense, the transition from Kanye's "Homecoming" video

to a "Good Times" clip was seamless.

I didn't say it wasn't hot, but it ain't right.

You two dropped the ball with them kids,

and it's a shame you never took them there.

I feel terrible about that.

We'll have to fix that at some point.

It's already fixed!

Wright Park's having a block party this Saturday,

and Cousin Tony's barbecue joint is doing the food.

I don't know what's going on this Saturday.

Let us talk about it.

T-Then it's settled.

We're going home, and we're taking Tia down there

to show her that the hood is good.

Wait, wait, wait. I said we had to talk about it.

It's too late. I'm going to get my stretchy barbecue pants.

Honey, why are you being so weird?

You know he loves it down there.

Of course. He was the mayor. They loved him.

I never fit in.

- They thought I was a nerd. - Mm.

And this is before black nerds were hot.

They're hot?

Okay, acceptable.

My point is, I took a lot of heat.

Hey, what's up, Willy Nilly?

Give it back, Popcorn.

Make me, Willy Nilly.

But it's mine, Popcorn.

I look good on this thing.

Don't I, Willy Nilly?

- Did anyone go by their given name? - No!

That's one of the many reasons why I don't want to go back.

I don't need my kids to find out I wasn't cool,

especially since Miles caught me manscaping.

I like that you keep it neat.

But, you know, this is important.

I happen to agree with Buck.

Did you hear what you just said?

I know. It sounded totally wrong in my mouth,

but it's true, and I think we need to go.

Why do you want to go so much?

Because I am gonna show everybody

that the Russell family is on fleek.

"Fleek"? How'd that feel in your mouth?

You just want to go down there

to prove to my family that you're "down."

Well, because they think I'm bougie.

They think I am, too! I just don't fight it.

You tried to do the "Wobble" dance at my cousin Tasha's wedding.

You wobbled right into her and broke her ankle.

None of that is important.

What's important

is that we teach our kids where they come from.

And just for the record,

the girls at my nonprofit think I'm totes cool.

Do you even know what that means?

Yeah. Cool like a tote bag.

There's the Alexis I know.

Here I am on the front lines of the South Side of Chicago,

and surprisingly, all is calm.

Where's the action, Uncle Buck?

I want to be like Anderson Cooper in Fallujah.

I don't know that movie.

Look, this ain't what you gonna see on TV.

You're gonna see some good stuff today...

decent people, family, and community.

Look, there goes my man Bernie.

Hey, Bernie, what's up?!

Hey, where's my money

Nothing to see over there, children.

Come on. Let's move it. Keep moving.

Come on. You're a grown man.

It's not like you're gonna get pantsed or anything.

Aah!

Don't! Wait! Don't let him take my pants!

Relax. Don't nobody want your flat-front khakis.

It's Cousin Tony.

Hey, Tony. What's up, Cuz?

Hey, Will. Long time, no see.

Look at you. Big-time architect.

Finally let go of the Jheri curl, right?

Down to the slab.

Welcome to the club.

- Hey, Tasha, everybody, it's Will! -

Oh, really, you don't have to do that.

Oh, I saw that article in Ebony about the museum you designed.

Hey, Tasha.

Oh.

I really love your shoes.

Yeah! They're flats.

I can't wear heels anymore.

'Cause your wobbling ass broke her ankle.

Been following your career, Will.

We're all real proud of you. Not just black proud.

Dad, you're a hometown hero.

Let me... Let me get a selfie, boss man. Come on.

- Yeah, of course. - Huh.

WorldStar!

Ooh! Tasha, and your hair

is just off the chizzy chizzy chain.

Oh you know, I just got my beautician's license.

Tasha been to beauty school,

and she's been to refrigerator college.

She got two degrees. Same as your mama.

Get it, girl.

If you want, Alexis, I can hook you up with a new 'do.

- You would? - Mm-hmm.

Ooh, girl, yes! I am so down for whatever.

Ha! Word.

- Is mommy in a play? - In a way, yes.

- You ready to work? - Say what?

I told Tony we would help him with his barbecue booth.

Yeah, that's how we roll in Wright Park.

Hey, Tia's class, the hood is good!

Hey, Tia's class. Happy Fourth of July.

Maizy, you have to stop eating up the potato salad.

But it's so good!

Uncle Buck says Cousin Tony put his foot in it.

- And I'm done. - Oh, no, sweetie.

When he says he put his foot in it,

it just means he did a really good job.

It's just a little something, something we say down there.

Holler, girl.

See, Russells? This is real Chicago...

black people and light-skinned black people

- breaking bread together. - This is nice.

I don't know why it took me so long to come home.

Where's Tia? She's missing me do my thing with the coleslaw.

Oh, she's busy. I got her whole day planned.

I'm introducing her to the important people of the community,

starting with Alderman Hoskins over there.

Okay, so...

His mustache is beautiful.

It's so thick and majestic.

Alderman Hoskins? He got indicted last week.

Oh, hell!

I knew he was hiding something in that mustache.

Wow. And he's still here, eating pulled pork.

Our court system is flawed.