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Parents' Guide to

I Am Chris Farley

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Joyous docu celebrates comedian's life; some edgy stuff.

Movie NR 2015 94 minutes
I Am Chris Farley Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 13+

Based on 1 parent review

heatherstaudt
heatherstaudt Adult
July 26, 2021
age 13+
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Chris Farley was born in 1964 in Madison, Wisc., into a large family (he was one of four boys) and almost immediately began clowning around. He loved sports and longed to be on a football or rugby team, but it was during a stint at summer camp that he first participated in a play. It quickly became apparent how enormously talented Farley was: He trained in improvisation and joined Second City in Chicago -- where he perfected his famous "Matt Foley, Motivational Speaker" character -- before becoming a member of the Saturday Night Live cast in 1990. Instant success led to drinking and drugs, and, after making a splash in feature films with Tommy Boy (1995), Farley died in 1997 of an overdose. His colleagues recall him as the funniest person they ever knew.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Judging by the talent who showed up for this documentary, it's obvious how beloved Farley was; even if it skirts over some of the more unpleasant details of his life, this is a joyous celebration. Famous folks like Dan Aykroyd, Adam Sandler, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Myers, David Spade, and Saturday Night Live creator/producer Lorne Michaels all turn up to sing Farley's praises. The refrain is that he was the funniest person they ever knew and that working with him was unforgettable.

Female interviewees like Bo Derek, Christina Applegate, and one-time girlfriend Lorri Bagley add dimensions when they talk about Farley's gentle, childlike nature and his kindness. (Apparently, his dream was to become famous enough to be able to cheer up sick kids in the hospital.) Farley's family agrees on his unquenchable energy and enormous appetite for life, which eventually led to drugs. The details of his addiction and overdose are mildly glossed over, but clips of Farley in his prime still have the power to crack us up.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Chris Farley's excessive drinking and drug use. How does the movie depict these things? Does it celebrate or condemn them? What are the consequences?

  • Is Farley a role model? Why or why not?

  • Why would becoming famous quickly take a toll on a person? What are the advantages and disadvantages of being famous?

Movie Details

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