Tommy Boy
Directed by Peter SegalAfter his auto-parts tycoon father dies, the overweight, underachieving son teams up with a snide accountant to try and save the family business.
Tommy Boy Ratings & Reviews
- Manuel FrangisMay 27, 2025I just watched Tommy Boy, and I give it 5 out of 5 stars. This movie is everything a classic buddy comedy should be — hilarious, heartfelt, and endlessly quotable. From the moment it starts, it grabs you with its chaotic energy and lovable goofiness, and by the end, it somehow leaves you feeling all warm inside. It is ridiculous in all the best ways, but it also has this surprising sincerity that sneaks up on you. That’s what makes it special. Chris Farley is a force of nature in this. His performance as Tommy is explosive and full of life, but it’s also genuinely sweet. You believe that he cares deeply about saving his family’s business, even if he messes up constantly. He plays Tommy like a big kid with a giant heart, and it works so well. David Spade, playing the sarcastic and dry-witted Richard, is the perfect counterbalance. Their chemistry is unreal. The way they bounce off each other feels effortless, like they were born to bicker and bond. Whether they’re arguing in the car or accidentally destroying a sales pitch, their scenes are always hilarious. What really hits me about Tommy Boy is that underneath all the slapstick and jokes, there is a real story about legacy, self-worth, and friendship. Tommy starts off as this immature mess, but as the road trip goes on, you see him grow up in these small but meaningful ways. It never stops being funny, but it also becomes kind of touching. You actually root for him. You want him to succeed. You want him to prove that he’s more than just the boss’s kid. The road trip setup is perfect, too. Every new stop they make throws another crazy obstacle in their path, and every disaster just makes the movie funnier. From the deer in the car to the airplane bathroom to the legendary “fat guy in a little coat” moment, the laughs never let up. But they’re not just random gags — they’re always tied to the characters and their journey. That’s what makes them memorable. They matter to the story. The movie also has a great 90s vibe. The music, the small-town setting, the slightly grainy film quality — it all adds to the charm. It’s a snapshot of a time when comedies didn’t need to be edgy or raunchy to be funny. They just needed heart, good characters, and really funny writing. Tommy Boy has all of that and more. Even after all these years, it still holds up. It’s not just a Farley-Spade showcase, it’s a feel-good comedy that knows how to balance dumb humor with real emotion. It makes you laugh hard, but it also makes you care — and that’s rare. I honestly don’t think we’ll ever get another movie like it. If you’ve never seen it, you’re missing out. And if you have, it’s probably time to watch it again. This movie is gold. A pure comedy gem that gets better every time.
Tommy Boy Trivia
Tommy Boy was released on March 31, 1995.
Tommy Boy was directed by Peter Segal.
Tommy Boy has a runtime of 1h 37m.
Tommy Boy was produced by Lorne Michaels.
After his auto-parts tycoon father dies, the overweight, underachieving son teams up with a snide accountant to try and save the family business.
The key characters in Tommy Boy are Thomas 'Tommy' Callahan III (Chris Farley), Richard Hayden (David Spade), Thomas 'Big Tom' Callahan (Brian Dennehy).
Tommy Boy is rated PG-13.
Tommy Boy is a Comedy, Adventure film.
Tommy Boy has an audience rating of 9 out of 10.
Tommy Boy had a budget of $20M.
Tommy Boy has made $32.6M at the box office.