Taking Care of Business (1990)
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25% of critics liked it
(12 reviews) -
48% of users liked it
(6,201 ratings)
James Belushi and Charles Grodin team up for this variation on the Prince and the Pauper. Belushi plays Jimmy Dworski, a convicted car thief, serving time in a minimum security prison. But when Jimmy wins a pair of tickets to the World Series from a radio call-in show, he can't resist walking… More James Belushi and Charles Grodin team up for this variation on the Prince and the Pauper. Belushi plays Jimmy Dworski, a convicted car thief, serving time in a minimum security prison. But when Jimmy wins a pair of tickets to the World Series from a radio call-in show, he can't resist walking out of jail, particularly when the warden won't even let the inmates watch the series on television. Grodin plays rich workaholic Spencer Barnes, who, when his wife walks out on him right before a long-planned vacation, leaves his datebook in an airport telephone booth. Happening upon Spencer's datebook is Jimmy, who simply intends to return the datebook to Spencer for a 1,000-dollar reward. But when he finds the datebook contains his credit cards, Jimmy assumes Spencer's identity, living the good life and dating the boss's daughter, while making his way to Malibu to return the property to Spencer. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Directed By
- Arthur Hiller
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Aug 17, 1990 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
This is a pretty stupid comedy in spots, with holes wide enough to drive trucks through, and director Arthur Hiller is as clunky as ever, but the cast is so funny and likable that they almost bring it off in spite of itself.
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Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
Lamely synthetic.
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Variety Staff, Variety
Brash Belushi and befuddled Grodin are perfect casting for yarn about a likable escaped con who assumes the identity of a stuffy, overworked ad agency exec.
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Geoff Andrew, Time Out
The roles fit Belushi/Grodin like rubber, but the rest is second-rate.
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Caryn James, New York Times
Taking Care of Business plays it safe and boring.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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James Belushi
as Jimmy Dworski
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Charles Grodin
as Spencer Barnes
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Anne De Salvo
as Debbie
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Loryn Locklin
as Jewel
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Stephen Elliott
as Walter Bentley
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Veronica Hamel
as Elizabeth Barnes
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Hector Elizondo
as Warden
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Mako
as Sakamoto
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Gates McFadden
as Diane
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Louisa Abernathy
as Guard
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Andrew Amador
as Prison Reporter
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Selma Archerd
as Woman in Pro Shop
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Tony Auer
as Prison Guard
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Elisabeth Barrett
as Diane's Assistant
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Michael Blue
as Beach House Cop
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Bert Blyleven
as Himself
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Marjorie Bransfeld
as Tennis Club Receptionist
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Joe Bratcher
as Mediator
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Andre Rosey Brown
as Heavy G
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Burke Byrnes
as Prison Guard
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Ron Chenier
as Beach House Cop
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Kristen Amber Citron
as Twin
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Baldo Dal Ponte
as National Anthem Singer
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Buddy Daniels
as Gang Member
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John DeLancie
as Ted
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Stanley de Santis
as Car Rental Man
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Sandra Eng
as Prison Reporter
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Ken Foree
as J.B.
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Mark Grace
as Himself
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Howie Guma
as Sakamoto's Assistant
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Darlene J. Hall
as Jeep Driver
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Michele Harrell
as High Quality Receptionist
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Whitby Hertford
as Yuppie Son
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Lenny Hicks
as Mediator
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J.J.
as LeBradford
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Jill Johnson
as Tennis Court Girl
- John Marshall Jones
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Janet Julian
as Woman on Plane
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Dan Kern
as Snooty Man
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Joe Lerer
as Ira Breen
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Michael McNab
as Main Gate Guard
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John P. Menese
as Chauffeur
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Stu Nahan
as Radio Reporter
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Tom Nolan
as Mr. Wright
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Hank Robinson
as Umpire
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Tee Rodgers
as Stadium Guard
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David Ruprecht
as Yuppie Dad
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Marte Boyle Slout
as Brenda
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Leslie Suzan
as Malibu Jail Woman
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Tom Taglang
as Waiter
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Joe Torre
as Himself
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Terrence E. McNally
as Hamilton
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Thom Sharp
as Mike
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Chris Barnes
as Luggage Boy
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Tommy Morgan Jr.
as Gang Member
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Michael Kinney
as Malibu Jail Guard