Written by:  Fred Wolf

Directed by:  Penelope  Spheeris

Starring:  Chris Farley, David Spade, Tim Matheson

• Suggested Alternate Title
  

Phoning It In

• My Synopsis
  

I watched this movie for the first time a few days ago.  Some might wonder, with as many movies as I watch, what took me so long to get to this one?  I don’t really know.  I can only assume it was divine intervention. 

The “plot” (I am taking so much creative license by using this word) of Black Sheep is Tim Matheson’s character (Al Donnelly) is running for governor.  Chris Farley (Mike Donnelly) is his well-meaning idiot brother who causes one catastrophe after another.  David Spade (Steve Dodds) is a kiss-ass lower-tier employee of the gubernatorial candidate, and sees babysitting Mike as potential for a promotion.  Wackiness ensues… sort of.  (Did anyone else notice that wasn’t so much a description of a plot, but rather a description of characters?  Yeah, I noticed that too, Peter Wolf.)

• Please Defend Your Film

Peter Wolf-Writer  (Credits include Dirty Work and Grown Ups)

I understand that once again, a writer was trying to siphon some of the magic of The Odd Couple into a buddy-film script, but how are you so bad at stealing?  There was no build-up to the relationship between the characters portrayed by Farley and Spade.  One day they don’t know each other and the next they live in a secluded cabin together.  Not one single idea in Black Sheep is flushed out enough to be believable.  How did you type “Fade Out” and actually think “Well, that’s a completed script!”?  The movie doesn’t even have a plot, for God’s sake!  Did you not notice or did you just think the audience wasn’t smart enough to pick up on it?  And this might be nitpicky but, why did you name Farley and Spade’s characters Mike and Steve?  You might as well have named them Don’t Remember and Who Cares.

Penelope Spheeris  (Credits include Little Rascals and Senseless)

Chris Farley and David Spade were friends in real life.  I realize you weren’t exactly handed the best script to work with, but even with that, the chemistry between Spade and Farley should have been palpable. Their friendship should have been the one believable idea in this film.  So, can you explain to me why every scene between them feels awkward and forced?  How did you at least not get that part right?

David Spade  (Credits include Just Shoot Me and Joe Dirt)

How did I not know until I saw this movie that you are just THE WORST at acting?  Your performance is almost sociopathic.  By that, I mean there isn’t a drop of emotion in it.  You seem to be doing an impersonation of yourself throughout the film.  R2D2 had a broader emotional range than you.  How are you still getting work?

Chris Farley  (Credits include Tommy Boy and Airheads)

Your ability to be funny seemed almost innate but you have never been as unfunny as you were in Black Sheep (and I am including Beverly Hills Ninja).  You probably put more effort into your grocery list than you put into this film.  I just want to know, aren’t you glad this wasn’t your last credited role?  Almost Heroes doesn’t look so bad now, huh?

• My Judgment
  

out of 5 sad faces

This film is completely indefensible.  It is a pathetic attempt to ride of the coattails of the success of Tommy Boy.  It is a watered down version with high school-quality performances, and that’s being generous.  If you haven’t already been tricked into watching Black Sheep at some point, save yourself 87 minutes.  It’s not worth it.

• Next Time

I Am Number Four