Tommy Boy

As Tommy Callahan III (Chris Farley) finally graduates from Marquette University after seven arduous years, he returns to his hometown of Sandusky, Ohio, to a life that's been forever changed. His father, the formidable industrialist Thomas R. "Big Tom" Callahan, Jr. (Brian Dennehy), welcomes him back with open arms and a job at the family's auto parts plant, Callahan Auto. However, Big Tom's announcement of his impending marriage to Beverly Barrish-Burns (Bo Derek), a woman he met at a weight loss retreat, comes as a shock to Tommy, especially when he learns that her son Paul (Rob Lowe) will become his new stepbrother. The family ties are further complicated by the revelation that Big Tom plans to marry a woman whose past is shrouded in mystery.

The wedding celebration takes an unexpected turn when Big Tom suddenly succumbs to a heart attack, leaving Tommy reeling from the loss of his father and struggling to come to terms with the new reality. As the funeral proceedings unfold, the bank's representatives arrive, reneging on their previous promises of a loan for the company's ambitious brake pad division. Faced with an ultimatum, the bank demands immediate payment of Callahan Auto's debts or risk foreclosure. Enter Ray Zalinsky (Dan Aykroyd), the cunning owner of Zalinsky Auto Parts in Chicago, who offers to purchase the struggling company at a handsome price.

However, Tommy has other plans. He proposes a deal: if he can sell 500,000 brake pads within a set timeframe, the bank will underwrite Big Tom's ill-fated venture. Desperate to save the family business, Tommy agrees to embark on a grueling cross-country sales trip with his father's obsequious assistant, Richard Hayden (David Spade), a childhood acquaintance who harbors a deep-seated animosity towards him.

As Tommy navigates this treacherous landscape, he begins to uncover dark secrets about those closest to him. The revelation that Beverly and Paul are not mother and son but rather married con artists with criminal records sends shockwaves through the Callahan household. Their deceitful scheme was designed to milk Big Tom's estate for all it's worth, but Beverly's sudden change of heart has them scrambling to salvage their plan.

With the fate of Callahan Auto hanging precariously in the balance, Tommy must confront his own demons and outwit his adversaries to save the family business from certain ruin. Will he succeed in his quest or will the company succumb to the forces of despair?

As Tommy's roadshow meanders through the Midwest, his pronounced social awkwardness and hyperactive tendencies prove a significant impediment to securing new clients. The lack of tangible progress breeds palpable tension between Tommy and Richard, their once-strong bond now strained by the duo's inability to connect with potential buyers. Moreover, the unpredictable nature of their journey is marked by a series of misadventures that push Richard's car to the brink of collapse, leaving them both feeling defeated and demoralized.

However, it is during one particularly disheartening moment, when Tommy's desperation reaches new heights, that he finds solace in an unlikely encounter with a gruff but kind-hearted waitress. Her willingness to serve him chicken wings long after the kitchen has closed speaks to her own brand of understanding, and Richard begins to realize that Tommy possesses a natural talent for reading people - a skill reminiscent of his father's ability to navigate complex social situations.

Empowered by this newfound insight, Richard advises Tommy to channel his empathetic abilities into their sales approach. As they work together, their partnership flourishes, and they begin to secure lucrative deals with numerous automotive plants, ultimately propelling their business past the $500,000 mark.

But just as it seems that fortune is smiling upon them once more, Paul's underhanded sabotage of the company's computers sets in motion a catastrophic chain of events. The sales posted by Michelle Brock, the diligent sales manager (Julie Warner), are either lost or diverted, leaving the company teetering on the brink of collapse.

With their financial back against the wall, Beverly and Paul approve the sale of Callahan Auto to Zalinsky, a move that will ultimately lead to the dissolution of the company and the devastating consequences for its employees. Undeterred, Tommy and Richard embark on a last-ditch effort to persuade Zalinsky to reconsider, traveling to Chicago and boarding a flight as unlikely flight attendants. Despite their valiant efforts, they are met with crushing disappointment when Zalinsky reveals his true intentions: he wants the Callahan brand for its name recognition alone, not the people who have dedicated themselves to its success.

As Tommy and Richard are rebuffed from entering the Zalinsky boardroom due to the repossession of Tommy's shares following the company's apparent downfall, they sink into despair on the sidewalk. However, their fortunes take a dramatic turn when Michelle arrives bearing the police records of Paul and Beverly. Seizing upon this turning point, Tommy concocts a bold plan: he dons a makeshift suicide bomber disguise fashioned from road flares and captures the attention of a live television news crew broadcasting in real-time. With Michelle and Richard by his side, Tommy forces his way into the boardroom, leveraging the power of their unexpected TV presence to gain entry.

Meanwhile, back in Sandusky, the employees at Callahan Auto Parts are transfixed by the unfolding drama on the television screens in front of them. As Tommy's brazen move gains momentum, he cleverly quotes Zalinsky's own iconic advertising slogan, proclaiming himself a champion of the "American working man." The tactic proves irresistible, and Zalinsky eventually signs off on Tommy's purchase order for 500,000 brake pads.

However, Michelle is not about to let her adversaries have the last laugh. She reveals the police records that expose Paul's outstanding warrants for fraud, which in turn invalidates his marriage to Beverly since he was already married to another woman. This revelation effectively renders Big Tom's inheritance null and void, making Tommy the rightful heir to the Callahan Auto Parts empire.

With Zalinsky's purchase order now rendered meaningless, the deal is off, but Tommy still holds the upper hand by possessing the signed sales order. In a stunning reversal of fortune, Tommy saves the company and watches as Paul is apprehended for his crimes. In a gracious move, Zalinsky acknowledges Tommy's superior strategy and honors the large sales order.

In the aftermath, Tommy assumes the presidency of Callahan Auto Parts, delivering an inspiring speech to the employees that the doors are always open to them. The film concludes with Tommy drifting peacefully on a serene lake in his dinghy, sharing a heartfelt moment with his father's spirit as he pledges to continue his legacy at Callahan. As the sun sets, he makes his way ashore to join Michelle and her family for dinner, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.