Unfinished Business
A hard-working small business owner (Vince Vaughn) and his two associates (Tom Wilkinson, Dave Franco) travel to Europe to close the most important deal of their lives. But what began as a routine business trip goes off the rails in every way imaginable - and unimaginable.
The film commercial failure against its mid-range budget of $35.0M, earning $14.4M globally (-59% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its compelling narrative within the comedy genre.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Unfinished Business (2015) showcases carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Ken Scott's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 31 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Dan Trunkman sits in a corporate meeting at his sales job, appearing worn down and undervalued in his current position at a large company.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Dan quits his job on the spot after his boss demands he take a pay cut, walking out of the meeting room and leaving his corporate career behind.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 21 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Dan gets word that they have a chance to land the major client in Germany. He commits to traveling to Berlin to close the deal, fully launching into the entrepreneurial journey., moving from reaction to action.
At 45 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Dan successfully connects with the client Bill Whilmsley and gets confirmation that they are the frontrunners for the deal - a false victory as obstacles still remain and his old boss Chuck arrives to sabotage him., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 66 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Dan receives a devastating video from home showing his son being humiliated at school. He realizes he's been absent during his family's crisis, and the business deal seems to fall apart as the client expresses concerns., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 73 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Dan realizes that true success means doing business with integrity and putting family first. He decides to be honest with the client about his limitations and values, risking the deal to stay true to himself., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Unfinished Business's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Unfinished Business against these established plot points, we can identify how Ken Scott utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Unfinished Business within the comedy genre.
Ken Scott's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Ken Scott films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Unfinished Business represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Ken Scott filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Ken Scott analyses, see Delivery Man.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Dan Trunkman sits in a corporate meeting at his sales job, appearing worn down and undervalued in his current position at a large company.
Theme
Dan's boss Chuck Portnoy tells him he's cutting his salary, stating "it's just business" - establishing the theme of treating people as more than commodities in business.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Dan's family life, his challenges with his overweight son being bullied at school, and his dissatisfaction with corporate treatment. We see his loyalty and values clash with corporate culture.
Disruption
Dan quits his job on the spot after his boss demands he take a pay cut, walking out of the meeting room and leaving his corporate career behind.
Resistance
Dan decides to start his own business and recruits Timothy McWinters and Mike Pancake as his team. They struggle to establish themselves and compete against Dan's former company for a major deal.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Dan gets word that they have a chance to land the major client in Germany. He commits to traveling to Berlin to close the deal, fully launching into the entrepreneurial journey.
Mirror World
The team arrives in Berlin and encounters Jim Spinch, a potential mentor figure who represents successful business relationships built on mutual respect rather than exploitation.
Premise
Dan and his misfit team navigate the Berlin business scene, dealing with hotel mix-ups, awkward social situations, and comic mishaps while trying to secure meetings and impress the client. The promise of the underdog business comedy plays out.
Midpoint
Dan successfully connects with the client Bill Whilmsley and gets confirmation that they are the frontrunners for the deal - a false victory as obstacles still remain and his old boss Chuck arrives to sabotage him.
Opposition
Chuck Portnoy actively works to undermine Dan's deal. Personal issues emerge as Dan learns his son is still being bullied. The team faces embarrassments at a business summit and art show. Pressure mounts from all sides.
Collapse
Dan receives a devastating video from home showing his son being humiliated at school. He realizes he's been absent during his family's crisis, and the business deal seems to fall apart as the client expresses concerns.
Crisis
Dan contemplates giving up and returning home. He questions whether the business venture was worth the personal cost. His team rallies around him but he feels defeated.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Dan realizes that true success means doing business with integrity and putting family first. He decides to be honest with the client about his limitations and values, risking the deal to stay true to himself.
Synthesis
Dan gives an honest pitch that prioritizes relationships over profit margins. He stands up to Chuck, returns home to support his son, and demonstrates the business philosophy he's learned. The client respects his authenticity.
Transformation
Dan is shown successfully running his business on his own terms, present for his family, with his son more confident. He's transformed from a corporate drone into an entrepreneur who values people over profits.