“Unfinished Business,” directed by Ken Scott and written by Steve Conrad, was simply a waste of two hours. The movie featuring Dan Trunkman, played by Vince Vaughn, Timothy McWinters, played by Tom Wilkinson, and Mike Pancake, played by Dave Franco was disappointingly mediocre. Between the predictable storyline and the amount of nudity and disgust filling the runtime, the movie was not worth the 10 dollars you pay at the movie theatre.
Trunkman believes he is living the great American dream with a beautiful wife and two children while growing in the corporate business. However, his life is turned upside down when he discovers his overweight son is being teased at school while his daughter feels the need to beat up anyone who adds to her brother’s depression. Alongside these pressures includes Trunkman quitting his job because he feels he is not getting paid enough for his workload. Therefore, he joins forces with 67 year-old McWinters and inexperienced misfit Pancake. The trio, now named Apex, plans to travel to Germany to close a deal; however, upon arriving, they run into Trunkman’s ex-employer, now his rival.
Taglines proclaim this film as the “best business trip ever” when in reality it was the most disturbing. Movie goers expect for Vaughn, Franco and Wilkinson to make a great comedic crew as they bicker back and forth. Instead, viewers are left disappointed as they question Hollywood’s new definition of comedy.
One scene was the three business partners entering a gay bar in order to find a source. Trunkman excuses himself to the bathroom but finds himself in a room with glory holes instead. The initial response to the mishap is laughter. However, the director and storywriter soon cross the line from comedy to disgusting as the scene is dragged on for longer than necessary.
The film’s plot offers no surprises. You know how it will end before the credits roll. The movie did contain a few scenes that called for a chuckle or two, but nowhere near enough to being coined a great comedy.
It seems as though many directors strive to mimic the hilarious misfortunes that occur in movies like “The Hangover.” The storyline of men who travel to random locations because someone or something has gone missing seems to be a recurring stock plot for Hollywood filmmakers these days.
It is time for Hollywood directors to recreate the comedy genre; tired shock humor is not the only option they have when making these movies. Instead of filling the runtime with nudity and raunchy jokes, focus on creating a humorous film filled with jokes, satire and realistic adventures a whole family can enjoy.