I saw this film knowing absolutely nothing about both it and its stars, Chris Farley and David Spade, and I have to say that this film is a comic classic. It is so stupid at times that it can only be hilarious. Farley is brilliant as the bumbling idiot who takes to the road with his dad's right hand man (the equally excellent Spade) to find the funding to save the families 'auto parts' business. Relax, put your brain on auto-pilot and soak up the fun. A great supporting cast features film favourites such as Brian Dennehy (Cocoon), Rob Lowe (Wayne's World) and Bo Derek ("10"). Highly recommended for a good laugh.
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rob-23618 May 1999
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The humor in Tommy Boy is nothing of high quality, and people shouldn't look at it as "the funniest film ever made." It's a mindless, joyous, rowdy ride through non-offensive material with two lead actors giving their all and forming simple and sincere chemistry. Now how can you hate a movie like that? The hate that this film has gotten is undeserving, really. It's nothing more than comedic fluff. Slapstick is a hard thing to achieve, and usually dumb laughs are the only thing a movie in this genre does achieve. Tommy Boy achieves great chemistry between two actors, good laughs, and sincere characters all in its short runtime. To begin with, when dealing with slapstick you need a likable, unoffensive star who is capable of being sweet and goofy. Farley just works. And he shows it explicitly here.
Plot-wise, the film focuses on goofball Tommy Callahan III (Farley) who has just graduated College and is on to take over his father's company, Callahan Autos. His father (Dennehy) is about to get married again, but collapses and dies while dancing on his big night. Callahan Autos is trying to sell half a million brake pads, and now their time is shortened even more seeing as the death of their boss has left them very vulnerable.
Tommy teams up with Richard (Spade), a goody two-shoes employee of his fathers who is jealous of Tommy's nice treatment and ability to be lackadaisical and be rewarded for it, to try and sell as many break pads to different companies across the US so they can make one last attempt to save the company.
As you can imagine, the trip is where the duo are going to encounter the most antics. Some are funny, some are tone-deaf and go on for way too long. Tommy Boy does rip off some more successful films like the pool scene from National Lampoon's Vacation, but after a while, it begins to fade into the background and it's something that isn't obtrusive before long.
This is a different kind of buddy comedy, because the buddies aren't really buddies, but rather, acquaintances. They're not two best friends hanging out, having fun on a road trip. One's antics leave the other one in a state of overwhelming disgust. Richard becomes Tommy's critic, smart-Alec self-conscious, and verbal abuser. In fact, Spade gets the most laughs out of everyone in the film. Farley is usually the but of every joke, as you'd expect. So maybe Farley isn't a good actor as much as he is a good punchline? Director Peter Segal also worked the camera when it was time to shoot Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult, so it's possible that a year later he'd like to spoof the buddy comedy genre by ultimately incorporating two characters who just simply tolerate each other for much of the film. Of course that is as far-fetched of an explanation I think I ever went for. Tommy Boy is funny and that's all there is to it. It's charming, creative, and works on the level it wants to.
Starring: Chris Farley, David Spade, Bo Derek, Julie Warner, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Dennehy, and Rob Lowe (uncredited). Directed by: Peter Segal. -
pmcguireumc9 November 2009There were very few truly classic Chris Farley movies. He died before being able to develop fully into a great comedic actor. The movies we have though, give us a glimpse of what could have been. Tommy Boy was the best of Farley's cinematic efforts. His pacing was great, his innocence and excitement are overwhelming and infectious throughout the film. The dialogue between Farley and Spade is so well delivered, that one can listen to it over and over ("and thank you sir for choosing me").
The scenes that i think capture Farley's genius (and Spade's perfection in delivery) are the sales scenes (especially when Farley sets the man's models on fire. His escape into his imagination is wonderful, and it is something that leaves me breathless every time (as i am laughing so hard). Also, don't forget the wonderful line, "And that's when the whores come". Wait for it. Wait for it. its worth it. -
Eric-12268 September 2001Yes, I know, it's not THAT old of a movie, it only dates to 1995. However, so much has happened in our world since then, it just *seems* like it's been around for years.
I think the movie is very good and very funny, and certainly much better than critics gave it credit for (every time I see it in the TV listings it has only one star by it. Why?!). I watch it routinely (it's on TV a lot, especially USA network). Two things I like about it are the pacing, and the deeper story that plays in the background.
First, the pacing: this movie hits the deck running and never stops moving, it just keeps rolling right along, from one nutty event to the next, but it is all carefully intertwined and everything works in symmetry to bring the viewer to the (admittedly schmaltzy) happy ending. Anyway, I like it when a movie maintains a good pace or a rhythm, never letting itself get too bogged down. "Tommy Boy" is one of those.
Second, the deeper story in the background: all the times I've watched this movie, I've never lost sight of the fact that the story didn't just revolve around some big dumb guy who couldn't seem to find his way out of a wet paper bag. No, there was always in the background the sad issue of Tommy Boy's beloved father dying. Plus, another sobering issue, that of how all this will lead to rather dire economic consequences for a business (Callahan Autoparts) that's been around for a long time and has employed lots of people in the town of Sandusky. Those two grim facts of life - death in the family and impending economic consequences - make this movie more compelling watching than one may realize, and I think this movie will hold up well over the years to come just for those reasons.
But enough with the gloom already. This movie is just plain FUNNY, thanks not just to Chris Farley, but to an entire cast that seems to work really well together. I couldn't envision the cast members being changed or replaced in any form. And Chris Farley did such a seamless depiction of this funny guy named Tommy Boy, that I still, in my heart of hearts, just know that there really IS a big dumb funny guy named Tommy Callahan, somewhere in Sandusky, Ohio, who is running an autoparts factory. No, there really IS a Tommy Callahan, believe me... It's kinda' like Pee-Wee Herman: that wasn't really an actor named Paul Reubens playing him, no! - there really IS a Pee-Wee Herman, who is totally in love with his bicycle, and has a dog named Speck...
Funny, but I look at waitresses in restaurants just a little differently now (thanks to that wonderful scene where Tommy Boy explains to Helen why he sucks as a salesman). And any time I'm feeling down, I just remember: "Fat guy in a little coat." "Hey, Prehistoric Forest!" "Holy Schnikees!" "Hey, quit playin' with yer dinghy!" plus many other lines, LOL LOL Those will always cheers me up! -
bkoganbing17 May 2019It's hard to believe that Chris Farley would be dead in two years after making Tommy Boy. This may very well be his comedy triumph and Farley gets some great support from David Spade and good carefully selected ensemble.
Meet Tommy Callaghan, Jr. who is a decent hearted well intentioned klutz of a human being. But he's skated through life up to now because his dad is the biggest employer in the town with Callaghan's Auto Parts..
Brian Dennehy is Tom, Sr. and he's one of those employers who feels a responsibility to his workers. He hasn't relocated south of the border or to China to pay less than minimum wage. Dennehy and no pun intended is a larger than life figure who sadly really hasn't taken his kid in hand.
Dennehy also in his middle age has taken a nice trophy wife in Bo Derek with her son Rob Lowe. Wouldn't you know it on the wedding day Dennehy dies and if Callaghan Auto Parts doesn't get some leadership it will fold. And with a new stepmom in the picture, let's just say that Derek and Lowe have a different agenda.
This is Farley's moment to finally grow up and Spade kind of takes him in hand. But he needs a lot of tutoring.
There are a lot of great comedy moments. Two of my favorite are Farley and Spade on the road with some road kill that doesn't prove to be quite so dead. The other is Farley and Lowe getting acquainted as new stepbrothers and Farley introducing him to cow tipping, a favorite past time.
Lowe shows some great comic talent and I wonder why he didn't take any billing for the part. Kudos also go to Julie Warner playing the girl next door that Farley likes and to Dan Aykroyd as the business rival of Dennehy who wants to acquire the company. Aykroyd is a great believer in image management.
Tommy Boy is a great comedy of the 90s and Chris Farley is really spot on in this film. -
As it turns out, Chris Farley and David Spade only made three movies together ("Coneheads", "Tommy Boy" and "Black Sheep"), but this was truly the "Citizen Kane" of their pairings. Farley plays Thomas Callahan III, the dimwitted heir to an auto parts company. His father Big Tom (Brian Dennehy) hires mild-mannered Richard Hayden (David Spade) to look after him. Big Tom is getting married to a "ten" (Bo Derek), so everything has to be in order. After Big Tom suddenly dies, Tommy and Richard have to try to sell half a million auto parts to save the company from bankruptcy. From then on, the movie is pretty much an excuse for Chris Farley to do what he does best: make a mess of everything.
When this movie first came out in the theaters, I saw it with my grandfather. He figured out early on that the Bo Derek and Rob Lowe characters were hiding something. But you can completely ignore that and simply luxuriate in Chris Farley's antics. Nothing is safe around his stomach, and hell hath no fury like his happy-go-lucky attitude. The scene where he sets the cars on fire, and later the deer scene, make for a pure laugh riot. Chris Farley and David Spade were truly the John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd of their era. It's a pleasure to always be able to think about "Fat guy in a little coat" time and again. -
Black Sheep sucked, and I saw it before this, and considering that I was forced into watching this, by a bunch of moron friends (not like they are ever going to read this), I liked it a lot better, it's really sweet. All the actors did great with the script, which you can tell was mostly adlibbed. Well worth the $0.49 (heh heh) cents I paid for it at the rental place.
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GrantCAGE16 May 2001This movie has everything! It has a good storyline, good acting, great scenery, adventure and some brilliant gags! Chris Farley plays Tommy Callaghanhe mega successful company 'Callaghan Auto Parts' has to go on the road to stop the company going under after Big Tom dies. The trouble is that Tommy knows nothing about break pads and needs the help of Callaghan Auto Parts worker Richard (David Spade). From the moment the two dorks hit the road, the movie is just so much fun. If you love slapstick with a great storyline you'll love this because the gags keep coming thick and fast and the movie will just make you laugh out loud! It was so sad about Farley's untimely death in 1997, but a credit to his genius is 'Tommy Boy'. Get it, chill out and enjoy this brilliant slapstick!
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(Possible Spoilers)
Tommy Boy is a classic comedy, and despite some flaws (one being that a tragic turn is made in the film when they could've made a different plot change), this is something good to watch.
Chris Farley turns in a performance as Tommy that is only matched by his Matt Foley on Saturday Night Live as a klutz who suddenly has to save his father's factory when he can't (catch my drift on the tragic), so he brings along reluctant and sarcastic Richard, played by David Spade in one of his best roles. On they're odyssey to save they're factory, we see the utterly ridiculous and utterly hilarious antics that made them famous on Saturday Night Live. Favorite scene (among many) is the scene with the popped hood. One of the better films of 1995. Dan Aykroyd appears as Zalinsky. A -
namashi_12 March 2010Peter Segal's 1995 commercial hit & now cult-classic 'Tommy Boy' is a hilarious film, an evergreen entertainer. Chris Farley is a talent which we'll never ever forget!!!
'Tommy Boy' is a simple story, told in the funniest & zany way possible. Farley & Spade take a journey which is filled with unstoppable laughter, even the Rob Lowe portion is damn funny. As a kid, I remember watching 'Tommy Boy' again and again and again. It's been of my childhood favorites, and it will always remain to be. Even today when it comes on T.V. I stick to it as a die-hard fan. I am quite possessive about this film.
Segal's direction is super. Chris Farley might have died in 1997, but remains alive for me, at least. What an actor! Watch his work in 'Tommy Boy', he's so much at ease. He delivered fantastic performances later on in films like 'Berverly Hills Ninja' & 'Almost Heroes', but his work in here remains as his best to date! Love you, Farley! Spade, on the other hand, is as good as ever. He's an excellent actor in all respects!
'Tommy Boy' rules.... 100 thumbs up from this writer! -
Tommy Boy (Chris Farley) has finally graduated from college after 7 years, even though he still thinks Herbie Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence, not John. He heads home to Sandusky, Ohio, where his father, Big Tom (Brian Dennehy) has operated a successful auto parts business for years. Tommy is to join the firm and he is thrilled to get his own office. Big Tom has other news as well. He is getting married to the luscious Beverly (Bo Derek) and Tommy Boy will have a new stepbrother, Paul (Rob Lowe). However, at the wedding reception, Big Tom keels over from a heart attack. This leaves Tommy in charge of the business and Beverly with half of the company's stock. She is receptive to the overtures from a businessman, Zalinski (Dan Ackroyd) who wants to buy the Sandusky plant for the reputable name only. He plans to shut the place down in reality. This leaves Tommy Boy and his father's right hand man, Richard (David Spade) to go on the road and convince folks to buy their auto parts, putting the firm in a better financial position and avoiding a takeover. But, since Tommy Boy is a half-wit and a business novice, can he really be the savior of the company? This is a funny film, guaranteed to put the viewer in a good mood. The cast is great, with Farley a comic genius and Spade not far behind. Lowe, too, is a stitch as the conniving brother, while Dennehy, Ackroyd, the beautiful Derek, and Julie Warner support the principals nicely. The sets and costumes are fine and the script and direction are snappy and fun, albeit of the more "lowbrow" variety. If you want to wash away your troubles and "get happy" for a spell, this film is the one for you. Boy, will you laugh it up!
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Xpect254 July 2005If you haven't seen Tommy Boy, I just feel sorry for you. Where I live, it's been everyones favorite comedy for ten straight years. Also, Black Sheep is another great one with Chris Farley and David Spade. This movie is pure, clean comedy unlike some of todays films. You'll laugh the hardest you've ever had, and you'll wonder why you hadn't seen it earlier. When Farley and Spade are on the same screen, it's beautiful. They contrast each other perfectly. I don't understand the low rating on this site. It's a shame people rated it so poorly. Spade really has some good one liner sarcasms that are gut splitting, and Farley has idiotic one liners the are hilarious. Even if you don'y like this movie, it gives you social status because its the talk of parties everywhere.
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CrassActionHero26 November 2006Tommy Boy is the well known comedy from the 90's. I remember seeing this and it was a riot. Now over 10 years later, it is just average. Don't get me wrong, there are some very funny scenes here.
Tommy has just graduated and gets a job at his father's company. He is entitled to sell a product or the company goes belly up. As you can see, Tommy is not the sharpest knife in the drawer. He and co-star David Spade go cross country to sell the product.
The chemistry between Spade and Farley is good. They do share some very funny moments together.(The scene at the gas station still has me in stitches) Other times, the movie fails and delivers some juvenile humor. Tommy Boy also suffers from a little boredom too. However, Tommy boy does have enough humor to win me over. Listen to some excellent quotes from David Spade.(What he says during the plane scene are priceless) Although not great, Tommy Boy is an average comedy that delivers just enough humor to succeed.
The Last Word: Enjoyable. -
Brian-978 December 1998"Tommy Boy" is one of the worst films I have ever seen! The acting is terrible. The comedy is lame. The jokes are gross! Chris Farley was not a good comedian. All he knew how to do was use disgusting humor along with his size to make raunchy jokes. The only hope for the film is David Spade who provides some comic relief in an otherwise unfunny film. I don't recommend this film to anyone. If you're smart, you will stay away from it.I give this film 1/10 and an "F"! Two thumbs down!
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This film should go down as a slapstick comedy classic. Farley's untimely death should be lamented, he was a comic god. This movie is unashamedly stupid, but if you'll just relax it's also one of the funniest films you'll ever see.
Ok, it has a paper-thin plot, but it does contain some cinematic firsts: a moose breaking its way out of a classic car; Rob Lowe being electrocuted through his pecker; a fat man in a little coat.
See this film. Twice -
Yes it's so 90's and very schematic and a bit cliché yet comedy like this should be an example for all the flat uninspired comedy that are produced nowdays. This movies have everything that a good movies must contain to be likable for everyone.
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I've watched this movie on a fairly regular basis for most of my life, and it never gets old. For all the snide remarks and insults (mostly from David Spade), "Tommy Boy" has a giant heart. And that's what keeps this movie funny after all these years.
Tommy Callahan (Chris Farley) is the son of Big Tom Callahan (Brian Dennehy), master car parts salesman, and has ridden on that all his life. But after his dad dies on his wedding day, Tommy learns that the company is in debt, and about to be bought by Ray Zalinsky (Dan Akroyd), the owner of a huge car parts company. So in order to save the company, Tommy has to go on the road to sell the company's new brake pads. Along for the ride, though not by choice, is Richard Hayden (David Spade) a former classmate of Tommy's who was Big Tom's right-hand man.
The movie rides on the chemistry between the two SNL stars (and real-life best friends) Chris Farley and David Spade. The duo has enough comic energy going between them to power the world. It's the big, dumb guy versus the smart little guy. It works, and some of their scenes are unforgettably funny. Farley and Spade are actually decent dramatic actors as well. Although the film is primarily a comedy, it has its fair share of drama, but Spade and especially Farley are just as good there as when they're making the audience laugh.
Forgive me, but I have to talk about Chris Farley a little more. I read his biography ("The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts," for anyone who cares), and understanding who Chris was in real life made this movie more special to me. Chris Farley was a genuinely good person who struggled, and ultimately failed to conquer his addictions. Although this was the first movie he had a major role in, it is his best film. It really showed who he was, and just how much talent he had. Knowing Chris's story adds another layer to this movie, although it doesn't make it any less funny.
Farley and Spade are matched with a good on screen cast. Rob Lowe is suitably slimy as Tommy's "new brother," and Bo Derek is solid as his step-mother. Brian Dennehy is great as Big Tom. Dennehy makes it easy to believe that they're father in son. Big Tom is just as crazy as his son, although he's smarter and more mature. Dan Akroyd gives one of his best performances as Zalinsky, giving Tommy the hard truth behind advertising. Julie Warner is also good as Tommy's love interest, Michelle.
For me, Peter Segal is one of the great comedy directors. He keeps the pace quick and energetic, but most importantly, he knows how to make comedy funny. He doesn't belabor the jokes, and he understands that funny actors know what they're doing and he allows them to do it. But Segal goes a step further. He gives "Tommy Boy" a friendly, almost nostalgic tone that both tugs the heartstrings (genuinely) and tickles the funnybone.
Critics didn't like "Tommy Boy." Shame on them. A movie doesn't have to be super sophisticated or subversively intellectual to be funny (God forbid Farley and Spade were forced to do muted comedy a la "The Office"). This is a great movie and one of my all-time favorites. -
Calicodreamin14 October 2021Some seriously cheesy comedic moments from Spade and Farley, but they work so well together you can't help but laugh. The storyline is surprisingly well thought out and the acting isn't too bad.
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kosmasp9 February 2021Chris Farley ... for many one of the best comedians and as many say a great human being. I personally am not an expert on his output, but after watching this, I have to say I do understand the praise some threw his way. The way he acts here, the seemless nature of him just being present ... the silliness seems like second nature/skin.
The story may be riddled with cliches, but it still works more than nicely. It all comes down to the actors involved. And I am a little bit surprised that I kind of dig David Spade here. Not his biggest fan myself, but he works more than nicely in this one. Get into the silliness mode and sit back, relax and enjoy -
ironhorse_iv21 May 2016No doubt about it, Tommy Boy is probably the best film that Chris Farley starred in. Directed by Peter Segal, & written by Bonnie and Terry Turner, produced by Lorne Michaels, and also starring former Saturday Night Live alumni, David Spade & Dan Aykroyd. The film tells the story of a the Man Child, Tommy Callahan (Chris Farley) whom must learn to grow up, fast, with some help from his co-worker, Richard Hayden (David Spade), so that he can be able to run his father, Tom Callahan Sr. (Brian Dennehy)'s auto-part-factory, before it's too late. Without spoiling the movie, too much, I have to say, the critics at the time, including Roger Ebert got it, all wrong. This road trip/ business movie wasn't horrible as the other 1990s SNL's cast-mates movies, not named Adam Sandler or Mike Myers. Yes, there is a lot of stereotypical fat man slapstick, mixed with low brow toilet humor, and some mean-spirited jokes, but most of the humor were indeed very funny. I laugh at every joke. Even if, some of the jokes seem to be "influence" or copy from the 1987 comedy classic "Planes, Trains & Automobiles." I think, the critics might had their heads up their butts, that day. It honestly, had a lot of depth, heart and emotional drama. You really do feel for the characters. Chris Farley as Tommy wasn't as annoying as it could had been. After all, the lazy fat man comedy gimmick can only go so far, before it get tiresome, but somewhat Chris Farley was able to pull it off. His character was somewhat a lovable dumb teddy bear. You see the character development, that Tommy goes, through to be a better person. Not only that, but you notice the fun chemistry between Chris Farley and his pal, David Spade, to the point, that they become somewhat known as a comedy duo. David Spade, really works best, as the straight man to Farley's odd behavior. Yes, his character was kinda a jerk-ass, but Richard evolves into somewhat of a Jerk with a heart of gold. So, it was fun to have him, along for the ride. The two find themselves in one ridiculous predicament after another, including my favorite moments, fat man in a little coat and them singing in the car. I really hope for more from there at the time, sadly, it was cut short, with Farley's passing. While, the two actors might fight at times. It's clear by Spade, that he kinda miss the guy. He will indeed, be missed, Spade from all of his fans. Anyways, I glad, this movie got success commercially and was Chris Farley's Breakout Role. It really deserves it. It was very well-acted. Even the supporting cast was memorable. Brian Dennehy look and act like he was having a blast. It's so unlike, the normal films, I see him, in. I love the sing and dance number, he had with Chris Farley in the wedding scene. Made me, very emotional to see him, go. Even Dan Aykroyd was somewhat funny in this film as slick salesman, Ray Zalinsky and he hasn't been humorous in years. Rob Lowe as the villain, Paul was also fun to watch. He really does have a comedy side, that I wish, he would use, more often. The only character, I kinda didn't like, is Bo Derek as Tommy Sr.'s wife, Beverly Barrish-Burns. She does nothing, but act like eye candy, nor does her character get any retribution, toward the end. It's pretty much, look like, she will get away scot-free, because of Ray. Anyways, besides that, this simple minded, laugh out loud comedy really has little flaws to me. Yes, the movie is full of plot clichés, but all of them, kinda work for this type of a film. Yes, it can be somewhat predictable, but I kinda like it, that way. This film, never goes too way, out of the meant of being too unrealistic, unless you count the attempted terrorist act, toward the end; then yeah, it might be a little too far-fetch. However, the pacing for this film made it flow fast and you hardly have time to question, such things. Even the music by composter, David Newman was amazing to listen to. I just wish they didn't used, too much of composter, James Newton Howard's score and George Fenton's score to 1993's 'Groundhog Day', way too much in this film. Despite that, it's really hard to hate this film. This film really stands the test of time. Its scenes, lines, and moments are very memorable. Overall: This good belly laugh of a movie is a blast to watch. Go see it, if you haven't.
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willamanah25 March 2019Cult classic and dozens of quotable lines. Metascore of 46 is a travesty. Shame on you guys for not having a sense of humor and then having the audacity to review a comedy!
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ckmec-111 March 2006Not once did I see "Academy Award nominee" labeled on this film, but I was nevertheless amused at the SNL actors' performance as traveling salesmen.
After Tommy Callahan III (Farley) father (Brian Dennehy) checks out, he is the now the heir to the old man's nearly bankrupt auto-parts business, much to the chagrin of the more deserving and heir-apparent Richard Hayden (David Spade, in another sidekick role). But the elder Callahan's new bride/widow attempts to steal the company from her stepson which forces Spade and Farley to team up, sell the parts needed to save the business, and well, two SNL actors, what do you expect? They make for a brilliant combination, and although many of the scenes were silly at times, I found them funny which made for an enjoyable picture. -
SnoopyStyle21 May 2015Tommy Callahan III (Chris Farley) is a dumb good-natured klutz who finally graduates college after seven years. His father Big Tom Callahan (Brian Dennehy) owns a family auto parts empire in Sandusky, Ohio but it's not going well. Nevertheless, Big Tom is taking out new loans to start up a new brake pad factory and marrying Beverly (Bo Derek). Beverly's son Paul (Rob Lowe) is a jerk. Big Tom puts resentful Richard Hayden (David Spade) in charge of looking after Tommy. Tommy reconnects with former schoolmate and shipping manager Michelle Brock (Julie Warner). When Big Tom dies, the bank reneges on the promise loan until Tommy puts everything he owns on the line. Tommy goes on the road to sell brake pads with a reluctant Richard Hayden.
Chris Farley is naturally adorable and a great physical comic. He exudes charm. David Spade is his perfect partner with his sarcastic superior manner. The movie excels when the duo is on the screen together. It doesn't work quite as well without both guys together. They are simply a hilarious team. -
"Tommy Boy" is the classic Chris Farley and David Spade movie. The business is going under, and the two set out on an eventful road trip to try and sell hundreds of thousands of brake pads to save the business from a conniving ex-wife, stepson, and brake pad rival. The movie is rather predictable, but funny in many parts and really shows the comedy pair at the height of their careers together.
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Most Lorne Michaels films seem to fail because they're essentially just extended versions of skits that barely managed to make people laugh in five-minute segments. "Tommy Boy" is a character right from "SNL" - a big fat lovable (in their opinion) goof who doesn't know anything.
David Spade gets the Thankless Overwhelmed Everyman role. He's paired with the Annoying Overweight Slob and they endure Miserable Misfortunes as they travel cross country to Save Daddy's Business.
The plot, for starters, is really faulty. The whole premise - daddy dies and rich stupid son has to save the family biz - can be traced back to just about any movie you want. Like any SNL style film it is reduced to a simple motivation - empty, shallow; just a reason to see a fat guy and a thin guy be "funny" together.
The movie's biggest "influence" is the 1987 comedy classic "Planes, Trains & Automobiles." That movie is great because the plot isn't stale and recycled. It's basic, yeah - a guy traveling home for Thanksgiving gets stuck with a slob. But it's real, dammit. It makes all the difference. The characters are real, the situations are far more real. "Tommy Boy" is pure slapstick and its ridiculous situations undermine the characters - we feel nothing for them, and we don't care about what's happening on-screen. "PTA" walked the careful line between outrageous and utterly believable and relate-able - "Tommy Boy" is simply absurd, with jokes like a simple deer-in-the-headlights turning into a crash turning into a struggle with a dead deer that really isn't dead, then awakens and wrecks their car.
The whole wrecked car thing is stolen completely from "PTA" and it's eerie how much stuff in this film actually does resemble the Steve Martin/John Candy movie.
Farley is simply way too obnoxious to find likable - I've never enjoyed watching him in any movies and this hasn't changed my mind. Spade's given very little to do, serving as the movie's most thankless character.
Dan Aykroyd is wasted as the Evil Baddie who plans to destroy Daddy's Business. The ending is a joke, and not in a "har-har funny" way. More like a "oh god are they serious?!" way.
Some people dig it, that's cool. But I just can't get into it, nor do I appreciate all the stuff it "borrows" from - not just counting "PT&A" - without any credit whatsoever.