Unfinished Business (0.5 Stars)

The second corporate comedy from Vince Vaughn in the last two years, the first being The Internship-which was passable-and now the overly drought, severely unfunny, Unfinished Business, a lazy screwball comedy that can barely find it's own comedic footing and brings down the talent of it's recognizable lead stars (poor Tom Wilkinson) with it. Vaughn plays failing businessmen Dan Trunkman chasing the deal (that could make or break) his company, that just so happens to lead him to Berlin during the midst of Oktoberfest, the G8 Summit, the Berlin marathon, and a gay fetish festival. Right in succession are Dan's cohorts, a overly depressing, sleazy-drug induced 67 year old Tom Wilkinson, whose only goal in life appears to do the wheelbarrow sex position. And a delirious, head gauging-Dave Franco, channeling his inner Forrest Gump as the bumbling side-kick.

Much like other R rated comedies (Horrible Bosses) the strength therin lies in the chemistry of your leads. Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, and Charlie Day all meshed well together. While seemingly a middle aged Vaughn, an older Wilkinson, and a doofus Franco never connect on the levels they should. Instead they pick apart themselves and wallow in their saturation-which in turn does not mellow the audience.

That's not saying Franco can't provide ANY comic relief, if anyone had any moment of rectitude, it's Franco. But we musn't forget brit actor Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz) shows up there, and sticks his man memorabilia through a glory hole (definitely not one of the films finer moments). Then just when you think the movie couldn't deviate any more from the path-Vaughn has to slow down most of the action to adhere to his family issues at home. The screenwriters try to make Dan a family-oriented man, instead this feels a bit rushed, and a little too sappy for a raunchy R rated comedy of this caliber.

Evidently most of the solid jokes are showcased (you guessed) in the trailer. The drugged up Wilkenson makes for some interesting tidbits (not nearly enough to get you through the movie) most of the laughs fail to have any punchlines, and the gay jokes just feel outdone. You're more than likely going to be thinking in your mind "how did these three men end up together?" now that is something that should go unfinished.

Grade: F

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