Black Sheep Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A politician hires David Spade to babysit Chris Farley so he doesn’t ruin his campaign, which of course, he hilariously does, proving that family is more important than winning, until they win because of family.

🍿 Black Sheep: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Setting the Stage

Mike Donnelly, the well-meaning but clumsy brother of gubernatorial candidate Al Donnelly, constantly sabotages Al’s campaign. Al hires Steve Dodds, a campaign aide, to keep Mike out of trouble and away from the public eye. Steve accepts, hoping for a better position if Al wins the election.

The Rural Hideaway

Steve takes Mike to a remote cabin in an attempt to isolate him. However, their stay is plagued by mishaps, including an encounter with a paranoid veteran and a series of unfortunate events that leave the cabin in ruins. Mike’s attempts to help only make things worse, much to Steve’s frustration.

Public Mishaps and a Political Rally

Despite Steve’s efforts, Mike manages to attend a Rock the Vote rally, where his well-intentioned but misguided attempts to connect with the audience result in a disastrous and racially charged outburst. This incident further damages Al’s campaign and strains the relationship between the brothers.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mike Donnelly (Chris Farley): The well-meaning but clumsy younger brother of a gubernatorial candidate whose antics constantly threaten to derail the campaign.
• Steve Dodds (David Spade): The campaign aide tasked with babysitting Mike and preventing him from causing further embarrassment.
• Al Donnelly (Tim Matheson): The gubernatorial candidate struggling to maintain his public image while dealing with his brother’s misadventures.
• Governor Tracy (Christine Ebersole): The incumbent governor who resorts to dirty tricks and election fraud to maintain her position.
• Drake Sabitch (Gary Busey): A paranoid Vietnam veteran who befriends Mike and Steve, ultimately aiding in exposing the governor’s corruption.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mike: “I bought a kite from a bald guy!” – Mike says this non-sequitur in the police car, exemplifying his random and often nonsensical outbursts.
• Steve: “I’m gonna go get the car and go to a hotel and get a wake-up call.” – Steve expresses his frustration and desire to escape the disastrous situation in the cabin.
• Mike: “Power to the people!” – Mike shouts this at the Rock the Vote concert after smoking with Rastafarians, before descending into a series of ill-advised statements.
• Drake Sabitch: “I’ve seen things, man. Things you wouldn’t believe.” – Gary Busey’s character references Vietnam trauma, in parody of war movie cliches.
• Mike: “Kill Whitey!” – Mike shouts this at the Rock the Vote concert, after a string of other attempts at solidarity with various groups, completely derailing his brother’s campaign appearance.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $32,417,995
• Worldwide Gross: $32,417,995

💥 Black Sheep Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I admit it, I have a soft spot for ‘Black Sheep.’ It’s not high art, but sometimes you just need a silly, slapstick comedy. Chris Farley at his most rambunctious, David Spade’s dry wit, and Gary Busey’s…well, Gary Busey-ness, made this movie a comfort watch for me. The cabin scene is iconic – the bat, the collapsing bunk beds. Sure, the plot is thin, but I laugh every time, and sometimes, that’s enough.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Chris Farley’s physical comedy”
  • “Viewers looking for lighthearted, silly movies”
  • “Those who enjoy buddy comedies with mismatched pairings”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Crude humor”
  • “Slapstick violence”
  • “Mild language”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “While critics panned ‘Black Sheep’, it still has some scattered laughs. Chris Farley’s honest efforts to amuse earn respect, and Gary Busey delivers a brilliantly funny performance as a paranoid Vietnam veteran. This movie is an example of cruder comedy.
• IMDb: “As a major fan of both Chris Farley and David Spade, I find this movie to be one of the funniest comedies from the 1990s. I used to like it even more than I liked TOMMY BOY although I now see that TOMMY BOY is certainly the better movie.
• IMDb: “The jokes (if you can call them that) almost all fall flat, and I rarely laughed. David Spade’s character is a bland, dull, lifeless and immobile creature who we could not care for one way or another, no matter how bad things get.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers agree that Gary Busey’s performance is a standout and adds to the film’s humor.: The slapstick comedy and the chemistry between Farley and Spade are commonly praised.

Many audience member claim Black Sheep has a heartwarming and enjoyable experience.: Audience consensus seems to be that Black Sheep is a hilarious movie!

Overall Consensus: While some find it to be a rehash of Tommy Boy, others consider ‘Black Sheep’ a classic slapstick comedy. It’s divisive, but fans of Farley’s physical humor will likely find enjoyment.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Paramount rushed ‘Black Sheep’ into production shortly after the success of ‘Tommy Boy,’ hoping to capitalize on Chris Farley and David Spade’s on-screen chemistry.”
• “Director Penelope Spheeris, known for ‘Wayne’s World,’ reportedly clashed with David Spade during filming, finding him unfunny and difficult to work with.”
• “The script was written quickly to meet Paramount’s deadline, leading to a plot considered by some to be a rehash of ‘Tommy Boy.'”
• “Gene Siskel famously walked out of ‘Black Sheep,’ marking one of the few times he ever left a movie screening early in his career as a critic.”

🖥️ How to Watch Black Sheep?

Black Sheep is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable or streaming availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Black Sheep, you might like these similar films:

• Tommy Boy (1995): Features the same comedic duo, Chris Farley and David Spade, in a similar buddy comedy format with Farley playing the well-meaning but clumsy foil.
• Wayne’s World (1992): Directed by Penelope Spheeris, known for its absurdist humor and memorable comedic moments.
• Dirty Work (1998): Norm Macdonald is tasked with carrying out bizarre schemes to make money, similar to the outlandish plot developments in ‘Black Sheep’.
• Step Brothers (2008): Features two immature adults whose antics disrupt the lives of those around them, resulting in absurd and over-the-top comedic situations.
• Billy Madison (1995): Adam Sandler plays an immature man who must repeat all 12 grades in order to inherit his father’s fortune.

🛒 Black Sheep Related Products

• Tommy Boy (Blu-ray): Revisit the original Farley and Spade comedy magic, Tommy Boy, on Blu-ray for enhanced viewing experience
• Saturday Night Live: The Best of Chris Farley: A collection of Chris Farley’s most memorable sketches from SNL. This captures the best moments from his career.
• David Spade: A Minute With You Guys: David Spade’s comedy special ‘A Minute With You Guys’. See his stand-up routine.
• Gary Busey: Buseyisms: This Book Is Better Than Life: A glimpse into the mind of Gary Busey. Some consider him crazy, but everyone loves him

🎧 Soundtrack

Black Sheep features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Backslider” – performed by The Toadies

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Exploring Black Sheep – The film that dared to create Weresheep

Ever wondered what makes ‘Black Sheep’ such a unique horror-comedy? GoodBadFlicks breaks it down, and honestly, it’s way more clever than I initially thought!

Black Sheep: The Story Behind Dewey Cox’s Opus

Did you know there’s a whole analysis dedicated to the song ‘Black Sheep’ from ‘Walk Hard’? Polyphonic explains all the musical influences and parodic genius behind it. It’s surprisingly fascinating!

✨ Rate