Tommy Boy (1995) tells the story of one man-child's attempt to save his family's business and the livelihoods of its three hundred workers from being wrested away and closed by a major manufacturer. It's the story of the little man overcoming great obstacles to rescue the preciousness of life.
It's about a fat guy in a little coat.
Chris Farley stars as Tommy Callahan Jr., a recent college graduate (only seven years to get his B.A.) who comes back home to work under his father at the family business making brake pads and other auto parts. Upon returning, Tommy's father (Brian Dennehy) announces that he's met someone new (Bo Derek) and that they're going to be married.
Happiness abounds for Tommy: he has a new job, a new brother (Rob Lowe), and a new lease on his frat-boy life. That is, until a heart attack strikes his father down and leaves the future of the business in the wind.
With the banks refusing to negotiate on a loan and with his world coming apart, Tommy decides to put the company on his shoulders, go out into the world, and try to sell enough brake pads to save the day. Begrudgingly along to keep him on track is Richard X (David Spade), who while seemingly playing the straight man, has many of the funniest lines in the movie.
The story from here is pretty much standard. You probably already know how it ends without even reading any further, but what keeps this picture afloat is the play of Farley and Spade, the banter, the little jokes, the cute and gruff Michelle (played by Julie Warner), and the performance by Rob Lowe.
Julie Warner Paying Respect As Farley Gets His Posthumous Star
While some of the writing and direction here are a little flat at times, what makes Tommy Boy really stand out is Chris Farley's performance. Pretty much playing infantile to a T, Tommy warms to the screen and our sensibilities, and for ninety minutes entertains us. Farley makes us want to believe in Tommy's journey.
Watching this it is hard not to be reminded of the great Planes, Trains & Automobiles. Maybe it is the command both John Candy and Farley had on their rotund salesman characters. Maybe it's the fact that much of the "Road Movie" section of Farley's piece could have been copyright infringed straight from the Steve Martin starring wonder. Whatever the case, many of the scenes in the car end up paying off f
or some decent laughs and keep the action moving.
Many people split on this movie. It just might be one of those love it/hate it situations, but Tommy Boy is hardly a waste of ninety minutes, if one. A mix of situations from other movies (some better, some worse), Tommy Boy plays pretty much like a clip reel of highlights. Most hit, some miss, but in the end you feel good to have at least seen Farley at his best before his death in 1997.
For Its Genre/Era/X: Great
Overall: Great.
Aside:
Why didn't Julie Warner get more roles during the 90s? She's attractive. She could play sweet or tough. And she has a nice presence before the camera. What happened?
It's sad. Really sad.
But apparently, she's working now, which is great.
Available now at:
No comments:
Post a Comment