Top 100 Movies Of The 1990's: #63 Tommy Boy

Box Office: $32.7 Million

Oscar Nominations: None

Oscar Wins: None

MovieRankings.Net: 90/100

Available To Stream: HBO Max

Why can't we have comedies like this made anymore? I am not saying I agree but I can at least understand why certain comedies (think early Apatow or even certain ones from the 80's) could not exist in the 2023 climate. But why can't we get something like Tommy Boy? There is nothing problematic with almost this entire movie. Would we get a combination as funny as Chris Farley and David Spade? Probably not but there are very talented comedians you could easily build a workplace comedy around. No one would see Tommy Boy in 2023 and be clutching their pearls and walk out of the theater offended.

Watching this again for the blog, I was struck with how much of this movie Farley carries. Spade plays a crucial role especially when the second act begins but this is really Farley's movie. It's also a great vehicle for him. It showcases how funny he is while having him play someone you really care about. Mix in the perfect dynamic of him and Spade and it's no wonder this is still such a beloved movie.

If you are looking for a great book to read, check out The Chris Farley Show. It's an oral history that his brother co-wrote. When I heard that, I remember thinking that I was worried we wouldn't get the real honest picture of who Farley was. I thought his brother might sugarcoat things. He didn't. It's an honest look at Farley even when things go off the rails for him in 1997.

What would have happened had Farley not died? He was the lead in four movies: Tommy Boy, Black Sheep, Beverly Hill Ninja and Almost Heroes. Tommy Boy is fantastic. Black Sheep is fine but the last two movies were abysmal. I don't think that would have mattered much. Farley's talent was undeniable and he was nearly done with voicing Shrek before he died.

This also shows how great Farley can be with the right cast around him. Brian Dennehy is perfect casting as Big Tom. I love how he loves Tommy Boy unconditionally and doesn't go for the easy joke/plot point of being disappointed in him. That way when Spade is giving Farley a tough time, it hits harder.

Watching this, I was struck by how impressive some of the shots were for a buddy comedy. There were some beautiful displays on the road and how things were framed were really impressive throughout. I looked up the cinematographer and found out it was Victor J. Kemper. He had also done Dog Day Afternoon, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure and Clue. Having accomplished people like Dennehy or Kemper work on a comedy that other people or studios might disregard just adds an extra element.

Similar to #73 Billy Madison, Tommy Boy was a modest hit but nowhere near a blockbuster when it came out. It did open at number 1 when it came out at the end of March 1995. But the next week Bad Boys came out and Tommy Boy would be out of the top 10 before April was over. The PG-13 rating and relatively short length made it a perfect fit for cable channels and it gained many fans who never saw it in the theater. By the end of the 90's, it was more than a cult classic. It was a comedy classic and is still considered one today as well.

This movie wasn't just the height of Chris Farley but it really was for David Spade as well. He was already doing Just Shoot Me when Farley died so maybe Spade would have naturally gravitated to television even if Farley hadn't died so young. Spade has had a nice career but it does feel like there is something missing. He was never better than when he was with Farley. I could try to come up with some witty way to try to end this but I love this last scene so much. It's a perfect way to end this movie and any discussion about Farley.

63. Tommy Boy

64. The Usual Suspects

65. In The Line Of Fire

66. My Cousin Vinny

67. Awakenings

68. JFK

69. Toy Story

70. Home Alone

71. Jerry Maguire

72. Titanic

73. Billy Madison

74. Apollo 13

75. Braveheart

76. Edward Scissorhands

77. Cape Fear

78. The River Wild

79. What's Eating Gilbert Grape?