TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
US, 1990, 107 minutes, Colour.
James Belushi, Charles Grodin, Anne de Salvo, Hector Elizondo, Veronica Hamel, Mako.
Directed by Arthur Hiller.
Taking Care of Business is much more enjoyable than it ought to be. Basically, it is a comedy of mixed identities when James Belushi as a car thief escapes from prison to go to the world series and is mistaken for a whiz advertising executive - and, of course, does things better than the executive. It is played for laughs and gets them. The screenplay is clever. But the more restrained acting of Belushi and the always amusing exasperated deadpan of Charles Grodin make a successful combination. It is satiric on the hard-sell yuppy lifestyle. Direction is by Arthur Hiller, a veteran of many types of movie. His comedies include The Out of Towners, The In- Laws, The Silver Streak, Outrageous Fortune, See No Evil Hear No Evil.
1.An entertaining comedy, mistaken identities, farce, yuppy satire?
2.California locations, Malibu and the beach, the business world and its affluence, the world of basketball, prisons? The songs, title song and lyrics?
3.The title and the cues for humour?
4.The introduction to Jimmy in prison, the popular prisoner, love for baseball, antagonism towards the warden and vice versa, the World Series prospect, the quiz and his answering the phone? Punishment for all the inmates? The contrast with the introduction to Spencer and his shaving, his Filofax, his relationship with Elizabeth, business emphasis, hoping to go away for the weekend, Walter phoning and the pressure on him to change the weekend?
5.James Belushi as Jimmy: prisoner, background of car-stealing? Good-natured? Work in the kitchen, friends with everyone? The punishment, his plan? The strike, the reaction of the warden? The previous interview with the warden and his taking a hard line, his indoor golf? Getting out, his luck, avoiding the police, finding Spencer's file, hoping to get the reward, going to Malibu, enjoying the swim, the luxury of the house? Being mistaken for Spencer by the executives? His adapting, his going to play tennis, the win over the Japanese businessman? The meeting with Jewel and his becoming friendly with her, listening to her? Going to the meeting, the clash with Diane and his telling the truth? Advertising ideas and the product? The relationship with Jewel, giving her good advice (even if adapted from Dr Ruth on the television)? The sexual encounter? Finally confronting Spencer?
6.Spencer and his decision for the business weekend, his motives and ambitions? Meeting Debbie on the plane and her incessant talking? Missing the driver at the airport, the phone call, losing his Filofax? The ride and his going back to find it? Getting the old car? Being mugged and tipped into the garbage? Relying on Debbie, listening to her talk, self-preoccupied? Getting into the house, climbing the pipe, being arrested? Going to the club, access to the computer? Being thrown out, prison? Still relying on Debbie, the rides, her reactions, demanding that he have a meal? Out in the rain, hitch-hiking, hurting Debbie? Confronting Jimmy?
7.The confrontation, the truth, angers? Going to the meeting, the Japanese businessman and his affirmation? Diane and her dismissal? The resignation from the job, Spencer as sad? Their going to the ball game, Jimmy giving up his date with Jewel to take Spencer? Enjoying it, Spencer trying to ring Elizabeth? The sensational catch and Jimmy being seen on television? The commentators wanting him, the police chasing him, the escape and Spencer using the Filofax to go down the cable? The phone call, his promises? Disguising himself as a priest to get Jimmy back into the jail, Jimmy disguised as his mother? The reaction of the prisoners? Television-watching, his coming out, Spencer waiting for him to drive him away? The Japanese businessman offering them a job?
8.The differing types, personalities, manners, world, behaviour? The truth told with each type?
9.Walter, the businessman, alienated from his daughter, pressurising his executives, ill in hospital, his phone calls, the final discussion and his identifying the real Spencer? Spencer turning against him?
10.The Japanese businessman, the tennis game, the executive's trying to let him win, Jimmy and his reaction, winning? The Japanese man listening to all his ideas, the sacking of Diane?
11.Diane as tough, the meal, the meetings, her dismissal - and the points made by the executive, her secretary clapping?
12.Elizabeth and her relationship with Spencer, hoping for the weekend, continually exasperated, the phone calls? Her arrival, the encounter with Jewel? The puzzle about Spencer's identity? Everything becoming clear - and a happy ending?
13.Jewel, her relationship with her father, glamour, friendship with Jimmy, explaining herself, his listening, the meal, the sexual encounter? A future?
14.Debbie, her incessant talking, his relying on her and using her, her job, her explanations of her background, relationships, beauty parlour? Her being hurt by Spencer? His reparation by buying the dog?
15.The warder and his toughness, his henchmen, indoor golf, malicious towards Jimmy, the strike, the television, his allowing the mother in, believing the priest - and having to let Jimmy go?
16.Contemporary themes of business and the pressures of business life? The contrast with prisons? Satire with light humour?
