Plot: What’s it about?
After seven years, Tommy Callahan (Chris Farley) just passed the final class he needed in order to graduate from college. He passed with a D+, and that’s a grade they don’t like to give out. He returns to his home town to work for his dad’s auto parts plant, only to discover many things have chnaged. His dad is getting remarried, he has his own office now, and he’s got a new brother from the marriage! Tommy is so happy about his new family and his dad’s happiness, and he tries his best to make his dad proud, but he slips up all the time. Former classmate Richard (David Spade) is assigned to help Tommy along, but he is none too happy about it. Finally, the big day arrives, and Tommy’s dad gets hitched, but during a father/son sing along, Tommy’s dad dies, from an apparent heart attack. Tommy gets half the stock, and his dad’s new bride gets the other half. Without the father, Callahan Auto’s future is looking bleak, with the widow looking sell, and sell fast, and the bank’s refusal to loan Callahan the money to start the new brake pad division. But Tommy gives everything he owns as collateral, and gets the loan. He then recruits Richard to trek across the country with him to sell the new product. Will Tommy Boy come through? Will Richard have a nervous breakdown?
Now, let’s talk about what makes Tommy Boy so darn funny. It’s a simple answer, what makes this movie work is the teamwork of Chris Farley (Beverly Hills Ninja) and David Spade (Lost and Found). Their constant back and forth is hilarious, as they try to save their jobs and the jobs of hundreds of others. The subject matter is not always funny, as Tommy’s father’s death is somber, but the movie uses the event to inspire Tommy into success on his own. Farley also implements great physical comedy, which adds another type of humor to this flick. Spade’s sarcasm is great in this movie, but is wearing thin in his current endeavors. The rest of the cast of Tommy Boy is great as well, featuring Brian Dennehy (Silverado, Cocoon), Rob Lowe (The Stand, Austin Powers 2), Dan Aykroyd (GhostBusters 1&2, The Blues Brothers), Bo Derek (“10”), and Julie Warner (Doc Hollywood). All in all, a great cast for a slap stick comedy.
Tommy Boy is a must have for any comedy fan, as it is hard to find a movie with more laughs than this one. Sure, it’s not an intellectual feast, but come on, you gotta laugh sometime in this liefetime. Don’t expect much in the way of cerebral humor, but you’ll get more than your fair share of fun out of this disc. A great job by the main leads, a great script, and a fine supporting cast all contribute to make Tommy Boy a must for your DVD collection.
Video: How does it look?
A great anamorphic widescreen transfer for Tommy Boy. This is a beautiful transfer, it’s by far the best Tommy Boy has ever looked. While you may not think this movie takes advantage of such visual superiority, the film does have several landscape scenes, which look fantastic. The colors are correct, with no oversaturation or bleeding, and the black levels are right on cue as well!
Audio: How does it sound?
As it seems with all comedies, a nice mix, but it won’t blow your doors off. The dialogue is crisp and always audible, and the soundtrack sounds good. Not the disc to demo your system with, but still, a nice mix for this movie.
Supplements: What are the extras?
You get the original theatrical trailer, which is cool. But Paramount, come one… give us something else every once and again…please?
