Le courage d'un con

Yes, 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!

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.

This film has everything - laughs, tears, heart. It's a training film on how to make a memorable comedy. And it appears its studio had no faith in it initially, since it was released in the spring of 1995, a time of year when you are not competing with a bunch of blockbusters. It's in good company though. Clueless, another classic, was also released that spring.

"Tommy Boy" Callahan (Chris Farley) is a goof off and a screw up from childhood. It takes him seven years to graduate college, with a D average. But his dad "Big Tom" Callahan (Brian Dennehy) welcomes him home with pride and open arms. He gives Tommy an office at the family company, a manufacturer of auto parts. Tommy is always getting sideways with Richard (David Spade), Big Tom Callahan's right-hand man. Richard worked his way up in the company, considers Big Tom to be the father he never had, and he resents Tommy because everything is handed to him - the company, a great dad - and he doesn't seem to appreciate any of it.

And then Big Tom dies suddenly, while he was in the process of expanding the company product line, so an extension in a loan is needed from the bank. But, to the bank, Big Tom WAS the company, and they really don't have faith in it without him. Tommy offers to put up his entire inheritance as collateral if the bank will give them a certain amount of time to get a large number of new sales, to prove the company still has a reputation outside of Big Tom's name. So this launches the lion's share of this film. Tommy, the neophyte who has never really had to work for anything, with Richard, the guy who has had to work for everything - on the road together, in Richard's prize car, trying to make the sales that will save the company.

Speaking of that car, I've always loved the symbolism of Richard and his car. In the beginning of the movie, he is all about his car since it is really the only thing in his life since he has no friends. He employs a no eating rule in the car and is upset when M&Ms roll into his dash. As the movie goes along his car just keeps getting more and more trashed and he cares less and less. His relationship with his car is inversely proportional to his friendship with Tommy. This all climaxes when he is fully sold on helping Tommy by going to ridiculous lengths. When they arrive at the airport near the end, and the parking attendant tells Richard that he can't park his car there, he just throws him the keys and says "keep it." Symbolically trading his car for his friend.

I'd highly recommend this, even if on the surface it might seem like just another sophomoric comedy, because it is not.

What can you say about Tommy Boy, well its without a doubt stupid, over the top, and not a film with any real message to make you think about life in general. But its also a very, very funny film and most likely my favorite Chris Farley film (Black Sheep coming a close second).

I should point out that i am English so i haven't seen any Saturday Night Live shows and only know Farley and Spade from their films and Spades stand up comedy. I think that if you want a film to watch that kills an hour and a half and keeps you laughing from start to finish then this is for you.

It does have moments of slushy "i love you" in it but they are very few and far between and the slapstick comedy is well worth the wait. The story line is very basic, Farley must sell his late fathers brake pads to keep his business alive. But its the amount of situations that both Farley and Spade encounter along the way that make the film so funny and watchable.

I can't say enough about this film to really sell it to anyone but it simply is a very, very funny film and ironicly if it has a message to leave the viewer with its how sad the loss of Farley is and how much great comedy was lost once he died.

Watch this film

Rotten Addict!

This 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!