Score: 1/5
“Unfinished Business” continues the 2015 trend of abysmal buddy comedies. Knowing one of the main characters’ names is “Mike Pancake” is one of many terrible indicators.
The so-called plot of this film centers on Vince Vaughn as Dan Trunkman, a swarf salesman trying to keep his new business afloat for his family. He finds two associates in recently fired for being too old Timothy McWinters, played by Tom Wilkinson, and bumbling idiot Mike Pancake, played by Dave Franco. The three embark on a trip to Europe to close an important business deal and uninspired chaos and unfunny dialogue ensues. Sienna Miller and James Marsden also star as the evil boss Chuck Portnoy and investor Jim Spinch, respectively.
Following in the footsteps of “Hot Tub Time Machine 2,” this film is full of tasteless sex comedy amounting to one long cringe.
The film attempts to be “EuroTrip” and sentimental at the same time, but fails at both. It’s hard to produce empathy after grossing people out in the scene before.
“Unfinished Business” serves to show just how far Vaughn has come since the glory days of “Wedding Crashers.”
Amazingly, this talented cast manages to be mediocre here, with none of them putting in any real effort. Though, they didn’t really have much to work with.
Not even the typically funny Dave Franco, who usually serves as a bright spot, could save “Unfinished Business.” He’s clearly written as an endearing dim-witted character, but there is nothing endearing about him. He’s so over-the-top dumb, it’s unbelievable. No person could possibly be as dumb as Mike Pancake.
Vaughn does his usual sarcastic, fast-talking shtick, and Wilkinson serves as the “old man” of the group.
“Unfinished Business” feels like the longest 91 minutes of all time. It drags on without so much as a chuckle-worthy scene.
With a better script, the film’s gimmick of three American businessmen in Berlin could manage to be somewhat entertaining. Instead, this is a film which tries to make pancakes a running joke.
It’s fitting “Unfinished Business” is Vaughn’s worst wide release opening weekend at the box office ever with a mere $4.8 million. It might be his worst film, an already competitive category for him.
“Unfinished Business” is flatter than Mike Pancake could ever be.