Unfinished Business
1.5/4
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Tom Wilkinson, Dave Franco, Sienna Miller, James Marsden, Nick Frost
Rated R for Some Strong Risqué Sexual Content/Graphic Nudity, and for Language and Drug Use
"Unfinished Business" wants you to think it's what would happen if Judd Apatow crossed "The Hangover" with "Tommy Boy:" a raunch-fest with a trio of underdog businessmen who get into all sorts of anti-PC shenanigans on a European business trip. Alas, even with the talents of Vince Vaughn and Tom Wilkinson, it doesn't work. Not only isn't "Unfinished Business" funny, it typically doesn't try to be. The film is more concerned with the drama, which would be fine, except that it's half-baked and too broad for a sitcom.
Chuck Portnoy (Miller) has cut Dan Trunkman's (Vaughn) salary by 5%. Needless to say, he's not happy about this, and ends up quitting and going into business designed to compete with her with Timothy McWinters (Wilkinson), a co-worker who was forced to retire because he hit the age ceiling, and Mike Pancake (Franco), a potential job candidate who is too nervous to form complete sentences. Cut to a year later: they're close to broke, but have snagged a potential deal with another company that could put them in the black. This journey, which takes them to New England and Germany, is not without its detours.
There is absolutely no reason this movie couldn't have worked. Vince Vaughn has demonstrated numerous times that he knows how to be funny, and can do adequate dramatic work (such as in "The Lost World"), especially if it's supporting a mainly comic film. Tom Wilkinson is one of the most underrated actors working these days. And Dave Franco is much funnier than his brother, who, let's face it, isn't as good at improv as his "Freaks and Geeks" buddies (Seth Rogen, et al) think he is.
But it doesn't work. The direction is unsure and the script fails to take advantage of potentially hilarious situations. It thinks that the idea, being forced to live in a hotel room that's really a modern art exhibit or a leather gay pride event, is funny enough in and of itself. It's one of those "comedies" that introduces ideas but doesn't do anything with them.
At least the actors don't embarrass themselves. They do the best that they can, but ultimately without some re-writes and a more competent director, there was no saving this movie. It's not a complete disaster, but the few amusing or dramatically effective moments don't justify sitting through it. Better stick at home and watch an old favorite instead.
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Tom Wilkinson, Dave Franco, Sienna Miller, James Marsden, Nick Frost
Rated R for Some Strong Risqué Sexual Content/Graphic Nudity, and for Language and Drug Use
"Unfinished Business" wants you to think it's what would happen if Judd Apatow crossed "The Hangover" with "Tommy Boy:" a raunch-fest with a trio of underdog businessmen who get into all sorts of anti-PC shenanigans on a European business trip. Alas, even with the talents of Vince Vaughn and Tom Wilkinson, it doesn't work. Not only isn't "Unfinished Business" funny, it typically doesn't try to be. The film is more concerned with the drama, which would be fine, except that it's half-baked and too broad for a sitcom.
Chuck Portnoy (Miller) has cut Dan Trunkman's (Vaughn) salary by 5%. Needless to say, he's not happy about this, and ends up quitting and going into business designed to compete with her with Timothy McWinters (Wilkinson), a co-worker who was forced to retire because he hit the age ceiling, and Mike Pancake (Franco), a potential job candidate who is too nervous to form complete sentences. Cut to a year later: they're close to broke, but have snagged a potential deal with another company that could put them in the black. This journey, which takes them to New England and Germany, is not without its detours.
There is absolutely no reason this movie couldn't have worked. Vince Vaughn has demonstrated numerous times that he knows how to be funny, and can do adequate dramatic work (such as in "The Lost World"), especially if it's supporting a mainly comic film. Tom Wilkinson is one of the most underrated actors working these days. And Dave Franco is much funnier than his brother, who, let's face it, isn't as good at improv as his "Freaks and Geeks" buddies (Seth Rogen, et al) think he is.
But it doesn't work. The direction is unsure and the script fails to take advantage of potentially hilarious situations. It thinks that the idea, being forced to live in a hotel room that's really a modern art exhibit or a leather gay pride event, is funny enough in and of itself. It's one of those "comedies" that introduces ideas but doesn't do anything with them.
At least the actors don't embarrass themselves. They do the best that they can, but ultimately without some re-writes and a more competent director, there was no saving this movie. It's not a complete disaster, but the few amusing or dramatically effective moments don't justify sitting through it. Better stick at home and watch an old favorite instead.
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