Tommy Boy (1995)

After his auto-parts tycoon father dies, the overweight, underachieving son teams up with a snide accountant to try and save the family business.

Director:

Peter Segal

Writers:

Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner

Stars:

Chris Farley, David Spade, Brian Dennehy

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chris Farley	...	Tommy
David Spade	...	Richard
Brian Dennehy	...	Big Tom
Bo Derek	...	Beverly
Dan Aykroyd	...	Zalinsky
Julie Warner	...	Michelle
Sean McCann	...	Frank Rittenhauer
Zach Grenier	...	Ted Reilly
James Blendick	...	Ron 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

Storyline

Tommy Callahan Jr. is a slow-witted, clumsy guy who recently graduated college after attending for seven years. His father, Big Tom Callahan, owns an auto parts factory in Ohio. When Tommy arrives back home, he finds he has a position at the factory waiting for him. His dad also introduces Tommy to the new brake pad division of the factory and to Tommy's soon-to-be stepmother, Beverly, and her son Paul. But when Big Tom dies, the factory threatens to go under unless the new brake pads are to be sold. Therefore, Tommy must go on the road to sell them, along with the assistance of Richard, Big Tom's right-hand man. Will Tommy save the company, or will the factory, and the town, go under?

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Plot Keywords:

profanity | on the road | con artist | buddy | bikini | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Official Sites:

Paramount Pictures [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 March 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fat Chance

Filming Locations:

BCE Place, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Gross USA:

$32,700,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Broadway Pictures, Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the motel room, on the TV in the background is a preview for Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994), also directed by Peter Segal.

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Goofs

During the scene after Tommy and Richard are kicked out of Zalinsky Auto right before Tommy's love interest shows up, you can see the same reddish haired man in a suit walk by behind Tommy twice.

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Quotes

Tommy: [Trying to copy his father's quote] Hey, I'll tell you what. You can get a good look at a butcher's ass by sticking your head up there. But, wouldn't you rather to take his word for it?
Mr. Brady, Customer: [confused] What? I'm failing to make the connection here.
Tommy: No, I mean is, you can get a good look at a T-bone by sticking your head up a butcher's ass... No, wait. It's gotta be your bull.
Richard: [embarrassed] Wow.

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Crazy Credits

Rob Lowe is mentioned on video covers, but remains uncredited on-screen.

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Alternate Versions

The UK cinema version was cut by 9 secs for a PG certificate to edit shots of a woman pulling down her bikini and the sound of a man unzipping his flies. Later releases were uncut and upgraded to a 12 certificate.

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Connections

Referenced in Mike & Mike: Episode dated 24 May 2016 (2016)

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Soundtracks

Eres Tu
By Juan Carlos Calderón (as Juan Carlos Calderon)
Performed by Mocedades
Courtesy of BMG
[sung along to by Chris Farley (uncredited) and David Spade (uncredited) while it plays on the car radio]

User Reviews

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.