Tommy Boy (1995)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Peter Segal

Writers (WGA):

Bonnie Turner (written by) &
Terry Turner (written by)

Release Date:

31 March 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy

Tagline:

If at first you don't succeed, lower your standards.

Plot:

An incompetent, immature, and dimwitted heir to an auto parts factory must save the business to keep it out of the hands of his new, con-artist relatives and big business.

Plot Keywords:

Buddy | Con Artist | Critically Bashed | Obscene Finger Gesture | Lifting Person In Air

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Chris Farley	...	Tommy
David Spade	...	Richard
Brian Dennehy	...	Big Tom
Bo Derek	...	Beverly
Dan Aykroyd	...	Zalinsky
Julie Warner	...	Michelle
Sean McCann	...	Rittenhauer
Zach Grenier	...	Reilly
James Blendick	...	Gilmore
Clinton Turnbull	...	Young Tommy
Ryder Britton	...	Young Richard
Paul Greenberg	...	Skittish Student
Graeme Millington	...	Frat Boy
Michael Cram	...	Frat Boy
Dean Marshall	...	Frat Boy

Also Known As:

Le courage d'un con (Canada: French title) (France) [fr]
Tommy Boy - Durch dick und dünn (Austria) (Germany) [de]
Tomazek (Slovenia) [sl]
Tommy Boy (Spain) (video title) [es]

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sex-related humor, some drug content and nudity.

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | UK:12 (uncut) | UK:PG (cut) | Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | USA:PG-13 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

BCE Place, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

When Paul Barish attempts to sabotage the Callahan delivery trucks, the gun he uses is a Sturm, Ruger Mini 14.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Before Beverley comes out of the pool, a crewmember and a boom mic are reflected in the glass door that Big Tom closes.

Quotes:

Tommy: Richard, do I have a mark on my face? It really hurts.
Richard Hayden: Nope, nothing. I thought I hit you on the shoulder.
Tommy: My shoulder doesn't hurt very much, but my face does.
[points to huge bruised area on his face]
Tommy: Right here. Not here or here so much. Right here.
Richard Hayden: Nope. Ship shape! Waitress, can I get that shrimp cocktail I saw in the glass case?
Helen: Yep. And you, what can I get
[pauses and looks at Tommy's face]
Helen: Jesus, what happened to your face?
Tommy: I knew it!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Parks and Recreation: The Reporter (#1.3)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Air

If you didn't find this funny, then you need to find a sense of humor

I watch this film (or portions of it) every time it comes on television. I don't buy many DVDs, but this is one I will definitely make an exception for eventually. Chris Farley and David Spade's antics have been well documented in the other reviews, but in addition to the comedy, you might also find yourself shedding a bit of a sentimental tear. There is one particular scene that had me going from tears of sentiment to tears of laughter in a matter of seconds (the sing-a-long in the car - you know the one if you've seen the movie). Even Rob Lowe had some very funny moments. Frankly, I don't know how they ever managed to finish this movie, as I wouldn't have been able to keep a straight face had I been one of the actors. I imagine there were a lot of re-takes.

If nothing else, this certainly has to feature the funniest cow-tipping scene ever filmed, though I'd be hard pressed to cite other such scenes. Unlike many of the recent comedies, this one is funny throughout. Highly recommended.