That is the way to tell this story. The story is about these three guys and what they say to one another. The movie, directed by John Swanbeck and written by Roger Rueff, is sharp-edged, perfectly timed, funny and thoughtful. Spacey and DeVito are two of the smartest actors in the movies, filled with the joy of performance, and they exchange their dialogue with the precision of racquetball players, every volley redefining the game. They talk about business strategy, sales goals, the cutthroat world of industrial lubricants, the mystical power of the Big Kahuna to transform their lives.
Lubricants are the McGuffin.
They could be selling auto parts, ladies' ready to wear or kitchen gizmos. Bob, the kid, is softer and more unformed. It appears that the Big Kahuna did not visit their suite. The Big Kahuna was depressed by the death of his dog. Bob believes in Jesus like Larry and Phil believe in sales.