Taking Care of Business

Two men live in parallel lives until fate swaps one person for another. A tightly wound advertising executive discovers that his meticulously organized life has fallen into the hands of a charming convict who slips into his routine and pretends to be him. As the imposter glides through meetings, client calls, and social events, the real man scrambles to stay ahead without tipping off his colleagues. The result is a fast paced shuffle of deadlines, misunderstandings, and mistaken impressions that turns the office into a playground for farce. The film plays with control versus freedom, status versus authenticity, and the ridiculous consequences of letting someone else manage your calendar. The tone stays light even as lines land and missteps mount.

Directed by Arthur Hiller and released in 1990, the comedy centers on a mismatched life swap that kicks off a comic tug of war between two very different men. Jim Belushi headlines, while Charles Grodin provides a sharp counterpoint, with Jill Mazursky and J.J. Abrams credited as creators also.

Reviewers treated it as a breezy comedy that leans into identity mix ups and workplace satire. Belushi brings energy to the gimmick, while Grodin provides a dry counterpoint. The film explores control versus authenticity and how appearances shape trust, with humor built on timing and misread signals for broader audiences.

Box office figures for this title are not widely documented, and it did not become a major blockbuster in the way big studio hits did. It played primarily as a late season comedy, appealing to Belushi fans and to viewers.

The movie did not spawn signature quotes or enduring scenes in pop culture. It sits among 1990s light comedies that satisfy quick laughs rather than become references, though fans of Belushi and Grodin may recall certain exchanges and pratfalls. It remains a snapshot of its era rather than a franchise.