CORPORATE LINE: After Tommy (Chris Farley) barely graduates from college, he returns home to the Midwest where his father (Brian Dennehy), the owner of an auto parts factory, immediately employs his dumber-than-dumb son. While Tommy was away at school, his father had fallen in love with a beautiful woman (Bo Derek) and now desires to marry her. During the wedding ceremony, however, Tommy’s dad tragically dies from a heart attack, which puts the company’s–and its 300 employees’–future at stake. It is up to Tommy to use any available intelligence to keep his father’s factory from going under. This road comedy uses the seriously comedic chemistry between the late Farley and his SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE buddy David Spade to brilliant effect.
THE MOVIE: Anyone that is a fan of Chris Farley has certainly seen this movie. Those of you who haven’t may not enjoy the film. It’s an acquired taste mostly because Farley is a big goofball. And with a storyline that is weak at best you need to be a fan of Farley and Spade to get past it. The duo is the only reason to watch.
THE EXTRAS:
Disc One:
The Commentary by Director Peter Segal discusses stories from behind the scenes and offers some interesting insight.
Disc Two:
4 Featurettes:
Tommy Boy: Behind The Laughter – This runs nearly a half-hour and has interviews with directors and producers and actors regarding the film.
Stories From The Side of the Road – This has some of the directors, producers, actors discussing the most memorable scenes in the movie.
Just the Two of Us – This featurette discuss the relationship between Farley and Spade. Thankfully Spade discusses this but also others like Rob Lowe, Bo Derek, Dan Aykroyd and Farley’s brothers discuss.
Growing Up Farley – Brothers Kevin and John Farley talk about growing up as Chris’s brother and Spade, Segal, and Fred Wolf talk about working with Chris.
Also included: Six Deleted Scenes, seven Storyboard Comparisons, fifteen Extended Scenes, Gag Reel, Photo Gallery, Theatrical Trailer and nineteen TV Spots!
FRANKLY: Spade’s wise-ass is always trumped by Farley’s dumb-ass. But viewers who want sharp wit and not just goofy hi-jinxs will want to avoid Tommy Boy. It’s not going to go down as a classic—except for Farley fans. I love the movie but I wondered as I watched if I wasn’t skewed by my being a big fan of Chris Farley. It’s no Blues Brothers but it’s also not intolerable. If you can’t get a laugh then you need to have your funny bone examined.
+ Charlie Craine
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