Piven fails to deliver the goods

“The Goods” is an unkempt comedy starring Jeremy Piven as Don “The Goods” Ready, a gun-for-hire in the used car business.

Ready proudly wields a motel-chain’s membership card and enjoys breakfast at strip clubs. He’s sharp and full of one-liners, though most of them fall flat.

Piven’s performance is nothing new. Don Ready is his “Entourage” charater Ari Gold’ssleazy brother, only sporting sideburns and a hustler’s button-up instead of designer sunglasses and a power suit. The inherent “Entourage” association is furthered by Piven shouting “Babs!” which fans will undoubtedly link to Gold’s agent partner on the HBO comedy.

One bright spot is a surprise cameo by an Abraham Lincoln-impersonating Will Ferrell, who howls “Just like John Wilkes Booth our prices are going to sneak up behind you and blow your brains out.”

But though Ferrell’s role, among others, was welcome at first, it ultimately hurt the film, because it reminded me that there are much more capable comedy scripts out there.