Tommy Boy

1995

Tommy Boy

Critics Consensus

Though it benefits from the comic charms of its two leads, Tommy Boy too often feels like a familiar sketch stretched thin.

42%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 43

90%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 252,296
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Movie Info

Saturday Night Live star Chris Farley had his first starring role in this frankly lowbrow comedy, which teamed him with fellow SNL cast member David Spade. Big Tom Callahan (Brian Dennehy) is the street-smart owner of a company that makes auto parts, and one day he'd like his son Tommy Callahan III (Chris Farley) to take over the business. Trouble is, Tommy Boy is a fat, dim-witted slob who took seven years to get a business degree and has no idea how to run a business. His father's sudden death unexpectedly puts Tommy Boy in charge, with his dad's weasely assistant Richard (David Spade) trying to guide him. However, what no one knows is Big Tom's wife, the young and beautiful Beverly (Bo Derek), married him only for his money while holding on to her lover, Paul (Rob Lowe), whose presence she explains by telling people he's her son. Beverly and Paul are waiting for Tommy Boy to run the company into the ground so they can take over, sell it off and earn a quick payoff. However, what Tommy Boy lacks in smarts (and hygiene), he makes up for in determination, and he hits the road with Richard for a long sales trip in a last ditch effort to rescue his father's legacy. Tommy Boy was a major hit that turned Chris Farley into a screen star; sadly, died a little over 2 1/2 years later.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (for sex-related humor, some drug content and nudity)
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Special Interest
  • Directed By:
    Peter Segal
  • Written By:
    Bonnie Turner
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Paramount Home Video

Cast

Chris Farley
as Tommy
David Spade
as Richard
Brian Dennehy
as Big Tom
Bo Derek
as Beverly
Dan Aykroyd
as Zalinsky
Julie Warner
as Michelle
Rob Lowe
as Paul
Sean McCann
as Rittenhauer
Zach Grenier
as Reilly
James Blendick
as Gilmore
Clinton Turnbull
as Young Tommy
William Dunlop
as R.T
Ryder Britton
as Young Richard
Paul Greenberg
as Skittish Student
Graeme Millington
as Frat Boy
Michael Cram
as Frat Boy
Dean Marshall
as Frat Boy
Philip McMullen
as Frat Boy
Philip Williams
as Danny
David "Skippy" Malloy
as Sammy
Roy Lewis
as Louis
Austin Pool
as Obnoxious Bus Kid
David Calderisi
as 'Yes' Executive
Willian Dunlop
as R.T.
Jack Jessop
as Priest
Marc Strange
as Toy CAr Executive
Michael Ewing
as Ticket Agent
Michael "MD" Dunston
as Singer at Wedding
David Hemblen
as Archer
Henry Gomez
as Airport Cop
George Kinamis
as Kid at Lake
Camilla Scott
as Stewardess
Dov Tiefenbach
as Kid at Lake
Marilyn Boyle
as Woman with Pen
Gino Marrocco
as Cabbie
Mark Zador
as Kid at Lake
Helen Hughes
as Boardroom Lady
Gil Filar
as Kid in Bank
Jonathan Wilson
as Marty
J.R. Zimmerman
as Boardroom Man
Robert K. Weiss
as `No' Manager
Ron James
as Bank Guard
Bunty Webb
as Large Woman
Reg Dreger
as `No' Manager
Lloyd White
as `No' Manager
Sandi Stahlbrand
as News Reporter
David Huband
as Gas Attendant
Brian Kaulback
as Bank Guard
Robbie Rox
as Restaurant Regular
Hayley Gibbins
as Little Girl at Carnival
Julianne Gilles
as Brady's Receptionist
Addison Bell
as Mr. Brady
Cory Sevier
as Boy in Commercial
Maria Vacratsis
as Helen
Colin Fox
as Nelson
Lorri Bagley
as Woman at Pool
Lynn Cunningham
as Pretty Hitchiker
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Critic Reviews for Tommy Boy

All Critics (43) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (18) | Rotten (25)

View All Critic Reviews (43)

Audience Reviews for Tommy Boy

  • May 14, 2012
    One of Chris Farley's best films. The story is a little lame, but as a comedy there are some genuine funny moments. Of course, as a life long Chris Farley fan, I may be a bit biased. But this is one of those films when you are changing channels, and it's on TV, you put down the remote, kick your feet up on the coffee table, and let out a few laughs. You have to love David Spade's chemistry with Chris Farley, and Brian Dennehy is great as Chris's father. If you want to leave your brain at home, and have a good time for a hour and a half, Tommy Boy is a good way to go.
    Bryan D Super Reviewer
  • Apr 21, 2012
    One of my favorite cult classic comedies! RIP Chris Farley
    Tyler C Super Reviewer
  • Dec 02, 2011
    Tommy Boy is a classic and a good time from start to finish. Chris Farley was a comedic genius.
    Bradley W Super Reviewer
  • Sep 14, 2011
    Tommy Boy was Chris Farley's debut film after SNL fame, but with many crude and meaningless gags that were more juvenile than funny. I feel that such gags when incorporated into something deeper or more grounded in it's comedy can work, but when the whole film just goes from one gross out and immature gag to another it just comes off meaningless and really insults it's viewers.
    Chris B Super Reviewer
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