Only the Lonely 1991 John Candy, Maureen O'Hara, Ally Sheedy and Anthony Quinn Only the Lonely is a 1991 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Chris Columbus, and stars John Candy, Maureen O'Hara, Ally Sheedy and Anthony Quinn. 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. Plot: A Chicago cop must balance loyalty to his overbearing mother