Big Business - Außer Spesen nichts gewesen

This movie is superficial. The jokes are marginally funny. There were nude scenes. The plot is somewhat predictable, a story of a underdog who eventually pulled it off with persistency and heart despite numeral setbacks. However, I for one can relate to the characters, a lot. I watched the movie on HBO on a Friday night after a long day of work as a small business owner. On this day, I bid on a project of a client who really likes our work but seldom gives projects because of our small size. Later I was told that another client was not happy with the frequency of our communication - a large company's VPs have meeting with her on a daily basis. With about a million things to take care of everyday, I can't imagine to have time to call her everyday just to chat. If you have struggles as a small business owner, which I am sure each has, you will like this movie because you feel that the main character is part of you. You try so hard for your family and your employees, whose livelihood depend on you. So the movie struck me on a day filled with some success and some setback at the same time, a typical day of my life. Who can't say that's not how life is no matter what you do. So the spirit of the character is contagious, and can struck you deep. The movie appears to be superficial. But when you think about it, and relate it to your life, it is not that superficial. In fact, it provoked some deep emotions.

A comedy comprised of equal parts heart, brains and soul, "Unfinished Business" is so low-keyed and laid-back in its humor that it's practically guaranteed to get lost amidst all the crasser and flashier items that Hollywood has to offer.

The movie reminds us, too, of just how nuanced and instinctive an actor Vince Vaughn can be when he's given material worthy of his talents (check out 1998's unforgettable "Return to Paradise" for definitive proof of this assertion). Vaughn stars as Dan Trunkman, a harried St. Louis businessman and father of two who feels so unappreciated by the firm he works for that he decides to strike out on his own and start his own company. The problem is he's saddled with two less-than-impressive employees to help get the business off the ground: a 67-year-old associate named Tim McWinters (Tom Wilkinson), and a baby-faced neophyte with the giggle-inducing name of Mike Pancake (Dave Franco) whose infectious smile and childlike eagerness at least partially make up for his lack of experience, social graces and smarts. While Dan and his merry band of social misfits try and land a major account in Europe, Dan also faces crises back home with his overweight son and hyper-sensitive daughter who are struggling with issues of self-image and bullying.

It's hard to imagine that we'll encounter a more purely likable character at the movies this year than Mike Pancake. Indefatigable, perpetually smiling and almost pathologically eager to please, Michael represents all of us who are just trying to find validation and acceptance from a world that is all too often looking for ways to marginalize us or put us down. And Franco plays the role with the perfect mixture of unaffected simplicity and pathos to make us care deeply about the character.

The script by Steven Conrad is so self-assured and knowing in its reflection of human nature - especially in those moments of off-the- wall surrealism that come seemingly out of nowhere - that its lapses into crassness and vulgarity are all the more painful and regrettable when they come along. But those occasions are few and far between, and the movie has some endearing things to say about the power of team work, self-esteem and unconquerable determination in getting us the things we need and want out of life.

Directed by Ken Scott, "Unfinished Business" is a scruffy, underdog of a movie that may not be perfect but, thanks to its innate sweetness and delightful performances, certainly gets you in its corner rooting it on.

Vince Vaughn has a long history of playing the lovable loser, and quite frankly he does it well. He's non-threatening, not charismatic enough to be overbearing and has his moments. Here he plays the same character doing the best by his friends and family and (Insert generic Hollywood plot here) By that you may think I didn't enjoy Unfinished Business and that wouldn't be accurate. The problem with Unfinished Business is that its so very very extra-ordinarily cookie cutter. Namely you will know exactly whats coming next and will bring nothing to the table that you haven't seen before......and done better.

Unfinished Business is harmless, Tom Wilkinson is great as always and equally so Dave Franco plays his usual heartbreakingly annoying role.

There are laughs to be had including solid out loud ones for me but the whole thing feels very played out and luck luster.

This is fine as a crash out with the other half when there is nothing better on the box-esque movie, but to go out of your way and watch it? You can do a great deal better.

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The movie started off a bit seriously and not much of funny bits but it kept on growing to be really hilarious in some scenes, Generally the movie hits so many nerves like how to be courageous enough and initiative to start your business if you know you're good enough to do so, but also faces the bullying and it is what makes the movie more purposeful and own a valid strong point of view. Maybe it's not the type of comedy it would leave me on my back laughing but again the did something good adding the bullying thingy to the plot so it would make it more attractive.

The screenplay was thorough,, the script was "in my opinion" well written, Steve Conrad took this project all by himself and he made it look really genuine ,, yes this is no where near his previous movies like "the weather man", "the promotion" or god knows "The Pursuit of Happiness" but it still felt so nice to watch.

As for the cast, Vince Vaughn is genius we all know that, Bravo,, but Dave Franco .. come on.. his performance here is applaudable .. he is really heading to be a really renowned actor ... There were more than a handful of really funny hardly laughable scenes for him,, When they're all in the spa and he start saying "boobies ... boobies" and there was another one when they were in the bathroom in the gay bar when he fell down and said "the penis touched my face" and then the slapping with the Japanese guys.. gosh his face expression is priceless :D Tom Wilkinson was fine same goes for most of the characters.

Again the comedy was just okay at the beginning but it really peaked to an exciting level in the hardcore party they were having :D

Overall, i believe any movie has a purpose deserve a chance on the big screen and bullying is a huge matter and it was nice they shone a bit of light on it ,, and the comedy was fresh .. not a Wowzer but still nice and fresh so i found it enjoyable. So it pass 5/10 for the comedy and over 6 for the story ;)

This film tells the story of a man who impulsively decides to start his own company, because he refuses to take a 5% pay cut from his boss. He hires a makeshift team of two, and together they try to win a contract against his former employer.

"Unfinished Business" is clearly a popcorn film that I'll forget about in a few months. It has a rather silly story, with characters that are quite inept. They keep running into unlikely scenarios, such as going to a gay festival and living in a reality art. I guess that is part of the fun. I think Dave Franco's character stands out the most, because his character is intellectually challenged, and yet he keeps a positive attitude towards life. I think "Unfinished Business" provides adequate brain-off entertainment.