Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, April 1, 1995                   TAG: 9504040031
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: B-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

`TOMMY BOY' IS A LAME ATTEMPT AT COMEDY

It'll be a real stretch this time.

The film is a hash of contradictory elements. As the ads and previews have suggested, it's a "dumb" comedy with Chris Farley as the bumbling title character. It also attempts to reach tear-jerking pathos at key moments. Then it's a road-buddy picture, and a coming-of-age story, and a romance and ...

Tommy is a big-hearted, sloppy guy who finds himself cast as the unlikely savior of his dad's (Brian Dennehy) auto parts company, when his scheming new step-mother (Bo Derek) and brother (Rob Lowe) try to steal it.

Tommy hits the road to learn the sales side of the business across the wide Midwest. The nerdish Richard (David Spade) is his dubious companion and guide. Back at the plant, Melanie (Julie Warner) waits for Tommy's return.

The script by Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner and Fred Wolf has a loose, make-it-up-as-we-go-along quality that scores about as many misses as hits. Director Peter Segal ("Naked Gun 33 1/3") handles the physical stuff fairly well - particularly the on-going destruction of Richard's vintage convertible - but there's not much anyone could have done with the serious parts.

In the end, like the main character, "Tommy Boy" is amiable, slow and disheveled. It's not much of a comedy, but then, no one really expected it to be.

Tommy Boy **

A Paramount release playing at the Salem Valley 8 and Valley View Mall 6. 93 min. Rated PG for sexual humor, slapstick, strong language.