Taking Care of Business

Taking Care of Business (1990) is a comedy film directed by Arthur Hiller and starring Jim Belushi, Charles Grodin, and Anne De Salvo. The plot revolves around Jimmy Dworski (Belushi), a convict who is granted a weekend furlough from prison to attend a Chicago Cubs game. However, a mix-up during transport leaves him with the belongings of Spencer Barnes (Grodin), a successful businessman who is on his way to an important meeting in Los Angeles. With Barnes' credit cards and appointment book in hand, Jimmy decides to pose as the businessman and take advantage of the opportunities that come his way.

The film begins with Jimmy in prison, dreaming of attending a Cubs game. He is excited when he is granted a weekend furlough and tells his fellow inmates all about his plans. However, things take a turn when he is mistakenly given Spencer Barnes' briefcase instead of his own. After discovering the contents of the briefcase, Jimmy decides to take advantage of the situation and pass himself off as Barnes. He flies to Los Angeles, checks into the businessman's hotel, and starts living the high life.

As Jimmy navigates the world of high finance, he realizes that he likes it. He impresses Barnes' colleagues with his charm and business savvy, and he even manages to land a date with a beautiful woman named Diane (De Salvo). However, his deception doesn't go unnoticed for long. Barnes' associate, Serrano (Hector Elizondo), becomes suspicious and sets out to uncover the truth. Meanwhile, Barnes himself is trying to track down his missing briefcase and clear up the confusion.

The film's humor comes from Jimmy's fish-out-of-water experiences as he tries to blend in with the wealthy and powerful world of business. Belushi's performance is energetic and charismatic, and he brings a likeable charm to the role of Jimmy. Grodin is also excellent as the uptight Spencer Barnes, whose strict adherence to his schedule makes him the perfect foil for Jimmy's freewheeling ways. De Salvo is appealing in her role as Diane, and the chemistry between her and Belushi is believable.

Aside from the central plot of Jimmy's financial misadventures, the film also features a subplot involving his attempts to help out a fellow inmate named Billy (Mako). Billy is a talented chef who dreams of opening a restaurant, and Jimmy uses his newfound business acumen to help make that dream a reality. This subplot gives the film a bit of heart and helps to ground the humor in something more meaningful.

Overall, Taking Care of Business is a fun and entertaining comedy. The premise is silly but engaging, and the performances are strong across the board. The film doesn't break any new ground in terms of comedy, but it's a solid entry in the genre and a great showcase for Jim Belushi's comedic talents.