10 Things That Happen in 'Tammy' That You've Seen in Other Road-Trip Movies
If you’re one of the millions who watched Tammy this weekend, you probably found parts of the movie to be strangely familiar. That’s because road-trip movies — like any popular film genre — follow a set of time-honored rules and conventions. Indeed, a few things that Tammy’s two main characters don’t do are: run out of gas, pick up a hitchhiker, and have a good old-fashioned sing-along. Here are a few examples of other road-trip “truisms” from their long journey through Trope Land:
Warning: Tammy spoilers ahead.
1. Our Heroes (or Heroines) Drive the Wrong Way
Tammy (Melissa McCarthy) and her grandmother Pearl (Susan Sarandon) are driving an eastbound route from Illinois to Niagara Falls — they end up in Missouri. Such navigational errors typically happen while the ‘smart’ character is asleep.
As Seen In: Dumb and Dumber, Due Date
2. Money is Lost
The fat stack of bills Pearl begins their trip with quickly evaporates after Tammy wrecks a Jet Ski. Characters often attempt to rectify these financial setbacks by committing some type of crime or stripping in a honky-tonk bar.
As Seen In: Planes, Trains and Automobiles; National Lampoon’s Vacation; Thelma and Louise; Due Date; Crossroads; Forces of Nature; It Happened One Night; Lost in America; Rain Man; Road Trip; Transamerica
3. There’s a Stop at a Honky-Tonk Bar
Tammy and Pearl dance to some bluegrass — while keeping their clothes on — in a honky-tonk in Kentucky.
As Seen In: Thelma & Louise, The Blues Brothers, Boys on the Side, Fanboys, The Guilt Trip, Nebraska, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Wild Hogs
4. There’s a Stop at a Kooky Relative’s House
When Tammy and Pearl are on the lam (after Tammy holds up a fast-food joint,), they call her Aunt Lenore (Kathy Bates), who knows how to destroy the evidence (meaning: blow up the car).
As Seen In: Vacation, Road Trip, Away We Go, Nebraska
5. Wild Animals Attack
First, it’s a deer that “jumps in front of” Tammy’s car, wrecking it. Then it’s a raccoon that “nips her” while she’s sleeping outside of a motel room.
As Seen In: Tommy Boy (deer), RV (raccoons), We’re the Millers (tarantula), Are We There Yet? (deer), Identity Thief (snakes), Johnson Family Vacation (lizard)
6. Vehicles Are Destroyed…
A hard and fast rule for any respectable road-trip movie. There are two cars wrecked in Tammy.
As Seen In: The Blues Brothers; Sideways; Due Date; Fanboys; The Guilt Trip; Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle; Identity Thief; Johnson Family Vacation; Little Miss Sunshine; RV; Tommy Boy; Vacation; We’re the Millers; Are We There Yet?; College Road Trip; Crossroads
7. …Some Even Explode
A few films take the destruction even further, and have the cars consumed in a burst of flames.
As Seen In: Planes, Trains and Automobiles; Road Trip; Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
8. People Get Left Behind
Once Tammy’s had enough of her drunk grandmother, she jettisons her (only to return shortly later, of course).
As Seen In: Due Date, Kingpin, Lost in America, Little Miss Sunshine, RV, The Sure Thing, We’re the Millers
9. People Get Arrested
Just like Tammy doubles the car wrecks, it triples the arrests. Both Tammy and Pearl end up behind bars; later, Tammy gets pinched a second time.
As Seen In: The Blues Brothers, Easy Rider, Boys on the Side, College Road Trip, Fanboys, Forces of Nature, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, Identity Thief, Johnson Family Vacation, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
10. There’s a Stop at a Tourist Attraction
The Grand Canyon is the most popular destination, Tammy mixes it up with a trip to Niagara Falls.
As Seen In: Due Date, The Guilt Trip, Thelma and Louise, Vacation
