Tommy Boy


4/4

Starring: Chris Farley, David Spade, Julie Warner, Bo Derek, Rob Lowe, Brian Dennehy, Dan Aykroyd

Rated PG-13 for Sex-Related Humor, Some Drug Content and Nudity

“Tommy Boy” has been a family favorite ever since it came out on video; maybe that’s why I list it as one of my top ten favorite films of all time when every other self-respecting critic sees fit to eviscerate it.  But for me, its appeal is impossible to deny.  The characters are likable, the story (thin as it is) is involving, and above all, it’s funny.

Tommy Callahan (Farley) is the dimwitted son of a car parts plant owner who’s basically coasted through life on his dad’s reputation.  Now graduated from college, Tommy’s life seems to be on easy street as usual.  But when his dad (Dennehy) dies on his wedding day and the company is about to go under, Tommy’s life is about to go up in smoke.  Now the not-too-bright son has to sell 500,000 brake pads from the brand new brake pad division in only a few weeks…or else the company will be bought by car parts magnate Ray Zalinsky (Aykroyd).  Even worse, if Zalinsky buys the plant, he’s going to shut it down, taking the whole town with it.

If you asked me if I’d like to see a movie about car parts and salesmen, I’d probably say no.  But really, this is closer to “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” than it is “Glengarry Glen Ross.”  It’s a road movie and a buddy comedy, with a bit of an underdog story thrown in for good measure.  The whole movie rests upon the comic skills and chemistry of its two stars, and they nail it.

Chris Farley was a comic genius.  His trademark “anti-slapstick” comedy is used to good effect here, and his delivery and reaction shots are flawless (his reaction shot at a gas station is priceless).  By all accounts, Farley was a genuinely kind and sensitive man, and that shows in his performance.  Beyond all the hijinks and hilarity, we really come to care about Tommy, and that is a testament to Farley’s skill as both a comedian and a dramatic actor.

Farley’s co-star and real-life best friend until his death in 1997, David Spade, is equally good.  As the smart-ass straight man, Spade provides the perfect counterbalance to Farley.  Some of his snide remarks are just as funny as Farley’s antics.  And like Farley, we really feel for Richard (Spade), understanding his insecurities (and his helplessness at being stuck with Tommy, who he feels is taking this as a seriously as a vacation).

Able support is provided by Julie Warner (as a co-worker turned love interest), Bo Derek (as Tommy’s new stepmother) and Brian Dennehy.  Special note goes to Rob Lowe, whose performance as Paul is perfectly nasty, and Dan Aykroyd, who gives one of his best performances as the mega-salesman whose image is not nearly as clean as it appears to be.

Peter Segal knows exactly how to direct a comedy.  The timing is perfect and the jokes are nailed again and again (you’ll never think of a hotel maid the same way again).  This movie is consistently funny; there are more hilarious bits in this movie than “The Hangover,” and it’s never mean or dark.  Surprisingly, the dramatic aspects of this film work just as good.  Despite having a thin story and an uninteresting premise, we really get involved in the plight of Tommy and Richard, and the folks back home in Sandusky, Ohio.

I love this film with all my heart.  It’s funny, it’s sweet, and it’s a great pick-me-up. What more do you need?

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