Tommy Boy | | Cast : | Chris Farley, David Spade, Brian Dennehy, Bo Derek | | Director : | Peter Segal | | Studio : | Paramount Home Video | | Format : | Color | | Released Date : | March 31, 1995 | | DVD Released Date : | August 30, 2005 | | Language : | English (Dubbed) | | Audience Rating : | PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | July 28, 2005 | | Summary | ABOUT TIME WE GOT A SPECIAL EDITION | Content
 | Like John Belushi, Chris Farley was a talent that just burned out way too quickly. Tommy boy is arguably Farley's best film as he's paired with his partner David Spade. Farley plays Tommy Callahan, the son of Big Tom Callahan who owns a brake parts factory in Ohio. Big Tom dies on his wedding day as he marries Beverly played by Bo Derek. Tommy thinks he's got a new brother in Paul (played uncredited by Rob Lowe) but paul and Beverly are really man & wife who planned on bilking Tom out of his money before he died.
In order to save the factory, Tommy has to go on the road and try to sell the companies new brake pads. Richared (spade) accompanies Tommy since he's an expert on Brake Pads. The picture becomes a buddy road picture similar to Planes, Trains, and Autmobiles with the slobbish Tommy constantly annoying the snobbish and anal-retentive Richard at every turn. Farley's brand of physical comedy is on prime display as, like Belushi, he was extremely graceful for a man of his size. As the pair do what they can to save the factory, Paul is back at home doing everything he can to make sure they fail including screwing up the shipping orders.
The hilarious scenes are too many to mention but the apparent dead deer who comes back to life and destroys Richard's vintage car is certainly a highlight as is Richard getting caught literally with his pants down by Tommy as he leers at a beautiful skinny dipper. Is Richard's favorite little Rascal Spanky???
Just a great film and the special edition DVD loaded with extras is very welcome to fans of this film. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 21, 2005 | | Summary | A Funny Slapstick | Content
| I'm not usually a huge fan of slapstick comedy, but this is one I truly love. David Spade and Chris Farley, two SNL alums, form a great comedic duo that is reminiscent of Matthau-Lemmon (sounds sacrilegious, but it's true). "Tommy Boy" displays Farley at his best and is chemistry with Spade is unmatched. Brian Dennehy serves his role very well as does Rob Lowe. I could live without Bo Derek, but, oh well. I recommend this movie for anyone who is interested in a pure light hearted comedy that doesn't get too silly or corny. A good solid comedic picture that all involved should be proud of. If you enjoyed this cult hit, I would also recommend "Black Sheep" which is another great Farley-Spade movie, though maybe not as great. Not that it is one of the greatest of all time, "Tommy Boy" is a classic to many. I recommend this wholeheartedly. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 10, 2005 | | Summary | Is it a TRUE comedy? | Content
| I remember more about this movie than I thought, so that's a good sign.
The things about this is, it's a good movie, but I don't know how rewatchable it is. As I was watching it, I noticed quite a few funny parts, but I also noticed quite a few unfunny parts, like plot development, establishing evil characters, and all that stuff. When you're watching a movie like this the second time through, you already know the plot and how evil the bad guys are, so you just want to fast forward through parts like this and just get to the funny parts.
Not to mention that it tries to mix in the sad circumstance of the dad passing away, right at the beginning. Dang, I come here to laugh and I get that thrown at me?
I saw this at about the same time as Dumb and Dumber, which I enjoyed far more. Dumb and Dumber doesn't try to be anything else other than funny, and it does a good job. Tommy Boy tries to include too many serious parts. Also it has a part where David Spade is spying on some hot skinnydipping chick, which is supposed to be funny I guess, but I just kept wanting to see the girl.
Still, Chris Farley is always funny, even if he's not Matt Foley motivational speaker here. His funniest stuff here includes yelling at kids for calling him fat after he's shown weighing down a boat, believing a guy named Herbie was one of the most significant contributors to the making of the constitution, and instead of saying "We don't take no for an answer," he says "We don't take no (censored) from anyone."
A memorable movie, but it could have been funnier. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 10, 2005 | | Summary | I got a D+, I graduated........... | Content
| Two words....Chris Farley. The native Wisconsin boy at his best. The modern version of Caddyshack humor. By no means was this film set out for technical merit or oscar consideration. This is a great date film, buddy film, or just looking for laughs. Farley and Spade are wonderful, best friends in real life, and it definetley pours over into the film. This film cracks me up, it is a shame that Farley is no longer with us. Belushi, Candy, Farley, the best are gone, but they live forever on dvd, pick this film up and relax, guaranteed to make the dimples hurt. Chris, we miss you. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 06, 2005 | | Summary | Farley and Spade at their best | Content
| While I haven't been the biggest fan of the "Saturday Night Live" or the "Second City" Comedy group, one cannot deny that these groups have spurned some of the biggest comedic movie stars over the past 25 years. One such actor who emerged in the mid 1990s and appeared to be on his way to superstardom was Chris Farley. Unfortunately Farley would pass away in 1997 due to a drug overdose. This was really a shame because we might not have really seen how great Chris Farley was to become. About two years before his death, Farley would take on what was soon to become his signature role - 1995's "Tommy Boy". This is a movie that might have been an average movie at best - but thanks to Farley's presence, he gives this movie an edge to rank it as an all-time classic comedy.
It is also worth noting that another "Saturday Night Live" alumnus teams up with Farley in this movie - that person is David Spade. Farley and Spade had worked together on other movies ("Black Sheep", "Coneheads"). The chemistry between has always been good - but perhaps the chemistry was never better than in "Tommy Boy". As often the case, Farley being cast as the overweight, bumbling - but loveable guy teamed up with Spade's Up-tight and straight-laced guy. The combination gelled so well. It is a shame that Farley didn't live past the age of 33, because the team of Farley and Spade could have ranked up there historically as one of the great comedy pairings of all-time - and possibly could have become the greatest comedy pairing in recent years.
"Tommy Boy" is no exception to the typical typecasting of Farley and Spade. Chris Farley played Thomas "Tommy" Callahan III (or called by his father "Tommy Boy"). Farley plays the overweight, dim-witted and bumbling heir to his father's auto parts company - Callahan Auto Parts. Tommy returns from just barely graduating college and is going to work for his father. Tommy's father "Big Tom" is played brilliantly by Brian Deheny. It is amazing the resemblance between Farley and Deheny. Tommy's childhood friend - the uptight Richard Hayden (played by David Spade) works for Big Tom as his right-hand man and he is assigned to teach Tommy the ropes. At the same time, Tommy's father announces his engagement to Beverly Burns (played by Bo Derek). Tommy also learns in addition to getting a new stepmother, he will be getting a stepbrother, Paul - played by Rob Lowe. What soon happens is that the company gets into some financial trouble and becomes ripe for a takeover from a nationwide auto parts dealer, Ray Zalinsky (played by Dan Aykroyd in his typical straight-laced "Joe Friday" style). Tommy and Richard soon must embark on a road trip throughout the Midwest to build demand for their auto parts - or else lose the company.
Farley and Spade are truly going to give this movie the edge. This is the best example of where the bumbling overweight/up-tight, straight-laced combination works. Farley is truly going to do a tremendous job with the physical comedy. His bumbling character is going to make him prone to some terrific moments. However, don't count Spade out. While Spade isn't going to be the centerpiece of the physical comedy - he is going to have his moments. Even Rob Lowe provides a nice physical comedy moment toward the end of the movie - involving a crash test dummy! One thing worth watching throughout the movie is what happens to Richard's car - definitely some classic moments.
While the physical comedy is great, the chemistry between Farley and Spade really is cemented by the dialogue throughout the movie. The actors truly know how to play off of each other - and it works. An example of this is in the when Tommy returns from college. This is just one example on how Spade's uptight character responds to Farley.
Tommy: "Did you hear I graduated?"
Richard: "Yeah and just a shade under a decade too, all right."
Tommy: "You know a lot of people go to college for seven years."
Richard: "I know, they're called doctors."
And here is an example of how Farley's bumbling character responds to the uptight Spade.
Richard: What did I say about eating in the car anyways?
Tommy: It's not good cause it spoils your dinner?
The road trip is truly one of the great scenes of the movie. One of the best parts is when Tommy and Richard are arguing over radio stations. They finally settle on a sappy song - and even start to sing along to it. There is another scene where they are also singing along. In addition to these scenes solidifying the bonding between Tommy and Richard, it reminds me of being with a buddy of mine - and singing along to music in the car. Great stuff.
I also like how Tommy's character develops throughout the movie. He goes from the irresponsible college graduate to gaining a sense of responsibility to save Callahan Auto Parts. I really like Tommy's commitment to his hometown - recognizing how important it was to save the jobs of the people who served his father's company for so well. I especially like the scene at the end of the movie when Tommy addresses to workers of Callahan - it seemed genuine and that Tommy really grew up.
The only disappointing performance I took was Bo Derek's character of Beverly - Tommy's stepmother. While there is a reference to Bo's "10" days, I didn't think she played the role well. Especially when we learn that Beverly is really out to rob Tommy of the company - she just didn't really see to play the villainess role very well.
Overall, this is a very funny movie. When you watch it, you will truly realize that we lost Chris Farley and probably missed out on his best yet to come. Highly recommended comedy. |
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