MOVIE REVIEW : ‘Far Out Man’ Resurrects Hippie Era

One satisfied viewer at a screening of Tommy Chong’s “Far Out Man” (citywide), exclaimed “A blast from the past!” That is surely the only way to look at this zany business about a rocker stuck in the ‘60s, seemingly permanently traumatized by the departure of his wife after firing her for being a terrible backup singer. For this comedy to work for you, you’ve really got to be still amused by Chong’s familiar pothead humor, not an easy task for everyone now that we’re in the ‘90s.

Actually, Chong seems to be resurrecting his old persona in order to move beyond it, both as an actor and as a writer-director. That’s the right direction, but in the meantime, like it or not, we’re asked to think of someone who’s stoned all the time as funny. (Who but Chong would even think of trying to make a joke out of a drug overdose?)

You may find yourself more amused by Chong’s relatives than him. Chong’s gorgeous daughter, Rae Dawn, plays the Far Out Man’s daughter, who is forever having her big movie scenes interrupted by her father. It’s Rae Dawn who at last manages to get a psychiatrist (Martin Mull, quite funny) to treat her dad at his ramshackle Hippieland lair, with the roundabout result that the Far Out Man eventually tries to get his act together by becoming a roadie.

Chong’s real-life wife, Shelby, plays his ex-wife, who has taken up with C. Thomas Howell (Rae Dawn’s real-life husband) in hopes of advancing her career as an actress. Shelby Chong is hilarious as a send-up of every sexy celebrity wife intent on having her own career, regardless of whether or not she is talented, and Howell is also a delight in his own send-up of Brat Packer pretensions.

Serving as the linchpin in this rambling adventure is Paris Chong, Tommy and Shelby’s teen-age son, who plays “Far Out Man’s” dismayingly studious kid who never met his father. In cameos are Paul Bartel, Judd Nelson and Michael Winslow.

There’s an amiable nonchalance in Chong’s film (rated R); let’s hope that his next venture is as much a departure and breakthrough for him as his former partner Cheech Marin’s “Born in East L.A.”