Tommy Boy (1995)
This week, the dads tackle Tommy Boy (1995), Chris Farley's star vehicle that perfectly captured the sweet-natured physical comedy that made him a legend. Steve picked this one as a core memory from his teenage years, when Farley was at his peak and SNL-spawned comedies ruled the multiplex.
Steve and Nic dive deep into what makes Farley such a force of nature on screen. They discuss his unique brand of "Lenny from Of Mice and Men" physicality mixed with genuine sweetness, and how the film was deliberately built around showcasing his talents. The hosts particularly love the chemistry between Farley and Brian Dennehy as father and son, noting how Big Tom's unconditional love for Tommy gives the character the confidence to bumble through life with infectious enthusiasm. They also break down the classic Farley-Spade dynamic, from the guarantee speech that shows Tommy finally finding his sales groove to David Spade's perfectly pitched reactions during Tommy's most chaotic moments.
The conversation covers everything from the film's structural issues (a Rob Lowe villain plot that feels underdeveloped) to its surprising emotional restraint around Big Tom's death, plus plenty of tangents about 90s nostalgia, questionable music choices, and why every car in a road trip movie is doomed. By the end, both hosts wrestle with how to rate a film that delivers undeniable Farley magic wrapped in a less-than-perfect package that still holds genuine nostalgic power.
