Far Out Man
Far Out Man is a 1990 American comedy film written, directed by, and starring Tommy Chong as an aging hippie who embarks on a cross-country road trip to reunite with his long-lost girlfriend and son from the 1960s era.[1][2] The film follows Chong's character, a former counterculture figure still clinging to his free-spirited ways, as he hitchhikes and encounters a series of eccentric characters while searching for his family in the modern 1990s landscape.[1] Produced by CineTel Films with producers Lisa M. Hansen and Jon Paré, it features a runtime of 81 minutes and includes cameo appearances by notable actors such as Martin Mull, C. Thomas Howell, Judd Nelson, and Michael Winslow.[2][1] Chong incorporates elements from his real life into the story, casting his wife Shelby Chong as the long-lost girlfriend and their son Paris Chong as the son, alongside daughter Rae Dawn Chong in a supporting role, blending personal autobiography with satirical humor about hippie culture's clash with contemporary society.[1] The movie premiered in theaters on May 11, 1990, by New Line Cinema, grossing $71,400 at the U.S. box office, and has been available for streaming on various platforms, including Netflix in the past.[2] Critically, it received mixed audience reception, earning a 49% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on over 2,500 user ratings, often noted for its crude, episodic comedy rather than a tight narrative.[2]Synopsis and cast
Plot
The aging hippie protagonist, known as Far Out Man, lives a reclusive and stagnant life in the 1990s, haunted by the loss of his ex-wife and their infant son who left him years earlier. Prompted by his concerned daughter, he undergoes a hypnosis session with a psychiatrist, which reignites his desire for purpose and leads him to set out on a cross-country road trip to locate his long-lost family. Leaving behind his aimless routine, he takes on a job as a roadie for a rock band, loading up his van with equipment and heading across America in search of reconciliation.[2][3] As the journey unfolds episodically over the film's 81-minute runtime, Far Out Man encounters a series of absurd and comedic mishaps that highlight the clash between his 1960s counterculture mindset and modern realities. While driving through California, he unknowingly tows a trailer containing his teenage son, who has stowed away after rebelling against his stepfather's strict lifestyle and fleeing a rock concert. Upon discovering the boy—revealed to be his unknown son—Far Out Man allows him to join the trip, leading to awkward bonding moments amid constant partying and detours. The duo faces hitchhiking blunders, such as picking up eccentric roadside characters including a self-proclaimed militant and bizarre drifters, and navigates chaotic band gigs that devolve into drug-fueled chaos.[1][4] Further along the route, Far Out Man reunites serendipitously with scattered family members, including an encounter with an old friend driving a truck who provides cryptic advice, and brief cameos from past acquaintances that underscore his isolated past. The travels emphasize humor through improbable situations, like a mistaken identity mix-up with a celebrity look-alike and a wild overdose gag at a desert festival, rather than a strict linear narrative. These set pieces build toward the culmination in a sprawling hippie-style gathering where the protagonist finally reconnects with his ex-wife and son, resolving the story through a chaotic but heartfelt family reunion that implies themes of reconciliation via shared absurdity and forgiveness.[2][3]Cast
The principal cast of Far Out Man includes Tommy Chong as the aging hippie protagonist Far Out Man, C. Thomas Howell as himself (ex-wife's partner/stepfather), Rae Dawn Chong as the protagonist's daughter playing herself, Shelby Chong as the ex-wife Tree, and Paris Chong as the long-lost son Kyle.[5]| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Tommy Chong | Far Out Man |
| C. Thomas Howell | Himself (ex-wife's partner/stepfather) |
| Rae Dawn Chong | Herself (protagonist's daughter) |
| Shelby Chong | Tree |
| Paris Chong | Kyle |
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Martin Mull | Dr. Liddledick |
| Judd Nelson | Himself |
| Michael Winslow | Airport Cop |
| Paul Bartel | Weebee Cool |
| Cheech Marin | Truck Passenger |
| Floyd Sneed | Band Drummer |