It’s a funny, rude road from inmate to ‘The Boss’

the-boss-movie-box-office-budget-collection-upcoming-wikiNo, this movie has nothing to do with Bruce Springsteen; but wish it did. Melissa McCarthy might be the funniest comedian in Hollywood today, but continues to muddle around as a single-dimensional, foul-mouthed character in yet another fiasco that showed promise, if by nothing more than her sheer presence.

Some comedians are not really funny people; they just recite funny lines. Then, there are those, like McCarthy, who are so genuinely hilarious, we laugh even before they open their mouths. McCarthy could turn boring material comical, and she has plenty of that here. Unfortunately, the best much of this material could be labeled is toilet humor.

She could blame the writers, but McCarthy proudly wrote it, partnering again (“Tammy”), with her husband Ben Falcone (who directs), and their friend from the Goundlings, Steve Mallory. We don’t mind off-colored humor, but relentless smut is not a substitute for comedy. And, child cruelty and b-slapping soccer moms does not equal fun.

We seriously question McCarthy’s judgment, but remain hopeful that if she steers somewhat away from the low road, this charming funny lady can and will create a string of megahits that everyone can enjoy. She’s capable of much more and deserves better than this, but so does her audience.

In this round, McCarthy plays ruthless industry mogul Michelle Darnell, returning to the world after serving a prison sentence for insider trading. Sent there by her former lover Renault (Peter Dinklage), Michelle has lost her home and fortune and is forced to live with former personal assistant Claire (Kristen Bell) and her daughter Rachel (Ella Anderson).

To her credit, McCarthy actually looks fantastic in her high-powered outfits, makeup and hair-dos. She carries herself sufficiently arrogantly as her character wields witty one-liners that cut to the quick. But without the financial means and power, former business partners are not so eager to welcome Michelle back into their business circles.

We know Michelle will find a way to wiggle her way back and find some humanity in the process, but that’s okay; we’re all along for the ride. Her opportunity is to market Claire’s brownie recipe in direct competition of Rachel’s “Girl Scout” cookies. Of course Michelle disrupts the kid’s meeting with obscenities and physically challenges the leaders.

We were supposed to root for Michelle, but couldn’t find a single reason to do that. After she recruits a group of thugs as “Darnell’s Dandelions,” they verbally and physically attack their do-gooder competition in a one sided street fight. We somehow missed the humor in it all, even with McCarthy’s comedic chops. Mostly, it was just disturbing.

In fairness, McCarthy has deservedly earned her comedic stardom, even when the excessively vulgar material and inane direction does everything to work against her. The slapstick and shock value kept an intermittent stream of laughter from the audience, so there should always be a market for rude insults and predictable pratfalls.

McCarthy is sustained with a capable supporting cast, led by an affable Kristen Bell, likeable Tyler Labine as Claire’s love interest, Dana Dandridge (“Saturday Night Live”) as Claire’s boss and Kathy Bates as Michelle’s former mentor.

“The Boss” is 99 minutes and rated R for sexual content, language and brief drug use. We understand McCarthy and Falcone’s kids have minor roles in the movie, but not sure how some of the gratuitously raunchy scenes or incessant potty-mouth humor is explained, other than “Hey, it puts food on your table!”

People will go to see McCarthy, as she is a talent and makes people laugh. There’s nothing wrong with that; but even Spiderman learned, “With great power comes great responsibility.” We’re hopeful she gets a better script, better movie and better judgment. With her position in Hollywood, she could make that happen; after all, she’s the boss!

Ron’s Rating: C-   Leigh’s Rating: C-

 




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