Tommy Boy (1995) Cherishes a Legacy, Comedy, and Heart

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Tommy Boy is a 1995 film. After the death of his father, the underachieving man-child Tommy teams up with Richard, a snide accountant, to save the auto-parts business. Slipping up on several blunders on the road, Tommy and Richard learn more about themselves in their adventures.

I just recently started watching movies with the late Chris Farley. Movies carry legacies of humbled actors who left this world too soon. Tommy Boy is a hysterical comedy with a sincere message about learning to lead your own.

The late Chris Farley’s kind heart, humor, and good nature show through all of his performances. He enjoyed making others laugh. Tommy is a goofball who enjoys causing mischief. Farley was a natural at comedy, but he had hidden dramatic layers. He had more to exhibit to the film world, which was sadly overshadowed in his short life.

Playing Richard, an intelligent and cynical businessman, this was my first time seeing David Spade outside of The Emperor’s New Groove. You can just see the steam shooting out of his ears. Though he doesn’t want to hurt his ego, he cherishes his friendship with Tommy.

The heart of the movie lies in the mismatched dynamic between Farley and Spade, who were a natural team. Their characters endlessly shoot each other down in insult wars. Farley and Spade’s real-life friendship played through their characters' dynamic. I can’t stop watching them in SNL clips, like the iconic Matt Foley sketches.

The supporting cast includes the late Brian Dennehy as Tommy’s charismatic father. They made this dynamic feel loving and real. More credits include Bo Derek, Rob Lowe, Julie Warner, and Dan Aykroyd. It’s a memorable cast of characters.

Peter Segal saw more of the film’s heartwarming nature beyond the comedy. Farley and the whole team had a wonderful time collaborating with Segal. He was always open to ideas. Beneath the film lies a sincere story about loyalty, friendship, and personal growth.

The comedy is a blend of physical gags and the funniest reactions to situations. Most of the comedy is Farley’s trademark routines, like falling down and ripping jackets. Since the script went through multiple rewrites, additional scenes were added, thanks to the lightning-speed improvisational skills of Farley and Spade.

Scenes like the jacket ripping and Richard acting as hotel staff were inspired by a real-life moment. Tommy Boy is about two salesmen selling breaking pads. There’s more to it than that. Comedies don’t go off the beaten path anymore and usually stick to one concise story. These little comedy moments make the film stand out.

The scene that made me fall out of my seat laughing is Tommy breaking the car door at the gas station, repairing it, and only to break off when Spade opens it. Tommy’s ‘What did you do?’ reactions get me every time.

Filmmakers did several takes of scenes because Farley never ran out of funny ideas. That scene where Tommy destroys the customer’s desk and sets his toy cars is one of those examples. Again, another scene that makes me laugh.

Beyond the laughs, Tommy Boy has a heartfelt message about leading your own way. While it’s recommended to follow the rule book, don’t be afraid to be different. Being different is what we need more of.

I can’t stop watching Tommy Boy. I always look up clips on YouTube to have a laugh. This is a comedy we’ve been missing nowadays. Find Tommy Boy streaming on Netflix. There’s no keeping a straight face.