Tommy Boy
by Robbo
Posted on 13 May 2021
Rating -
Tommy Boy is a 1995 American adventure comedy film directed by Peter Segal, written by Bonnie and Terry Turner, produced by Lorne Michaels, and starring former Saturday Night Live cast mates and close friends Chris Farley and David Spade.
Thomas R. “Tommy” Callahan III (Chris Farley) barely graduates from Marquette University after studying there for seven years.
He returns to his hometown of Sandusky, Ohio where his father, industrialist and widower Thomas R. “Big Tom” Callahan Jr. (Brian Dennehy), gives him an executive job at the family’s auto parts plant, Callahan Auto.
Big Tom reveals that he plans to marry Beverly Barrish-Burns (Bo Derek), and that her son, Paul (Rob Lowe), will become Tommy’s new stepbrother. However, Big Tom dies from a sudden heart attack during the wedding reception.
Doubting the future of the company without Big Tom, the bank reneges on promises of a loan for a new brake pad division and seeks immediate payment of Callahan Auto’s debts.
Tommy suggests a deal: he will let the bank hold his few inherited shares and house in exchange for the bank giving time to sell enough brake pads to prove the new division’s viability.
Tommy then sets out on a cross-country sales trip with his father’s sycophantic assistant, Richard Hayden (David Spade), a childhood acquaintance who is annoyed over Tommy’s ability to be lazy and yet be rewarded.
The rest of the film depicts Tommy’s initial inept attempts at sales, eventually finding his selling style and making his quota and saving the company.
Tommy Boy is the ultimate feel good film, an initially resolute but well meaning slacker who coasts through life, but comes good in the end.
The film was intended as a starring vehicle for Chris Farley and does really showcase his talents as the likeable loser, viewing the world in childlike wonder.
Recognition should also go to David Spade who gives a stellar performance as his acerbic, straight laced comic foil.
I admit it may be a little cliched and sentimental but I think that just adds to it’s charm.
Tommy Boy was released to mixed critical reviews but was a financial success and since Farley’s untimely death, has become a cult classic.
As a Chris Farley fan I think this is his best film of his short career and I think that viewers will be polarised, they will either love it or hate it.
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