First-time director Bryan Gordon, working from Hughes' script, is unable to keep the thin storyline afloat for feature length and seems more interested in finding various ways to photograph Connelly's body than in telling a story. He also allows the actors to play their characters so broadly that the movie takes on a cartoonishness from which it never recovers.

What is most amazing about this movie is how many of its ideas seem to be gleaned from Hughes' earlier, better films, including obvious thefts from "Home Alone," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "The Breakfast Club," "Some Kind of Wonderful" and "Pretty in Pink." (Not to mention Jerry Lewis' "Who's Minding the Store?")

This incredible lack of originality, however, could be forgiven, at least in part, if the movie were at all funny.

It is not.

I suppose even a hitmaker like John Hughes is entitled to a failure every now and then. My guess is, however, that he would have preferred to see this one remain on the shelf — or at least head into video obscurity a bit more quietly.

"Career Opportunities" is rated PG-13 for considerable vulgarity and profanity, as well as a surprising amount of violence.