The Boss

Movie Name: The Boss

Year of Release: 2016

Director: Ben Falcone

Stars: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Bell, Peter Dinklage, Tyler Labine, Ella Anderson, Kathy Bates, Annie Mumolo, Kristen Schaal, Mary Sohn, Cecily Strong, Timothy Simons, Eva Peterson, Ben Falcone

Genre: Comedy

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 3

Synopsis & Review:

Actor and director Ben Falcone follows his successful "Tammy" with another comedy, featuring his wife and co-writer, the fantastic Melissa McCarthy. McCarthy who is now a comedic force to be reckoned with, has had huge hits with Paul Feig's "The Heat" and "Spy", both of which were also well reviewed (not to mention the film that place them on the map, the hugely successful "Bridesmaids"). "The Boss" follows the story of Michelle Darnell, a financial guru and millionaire, who is a self made woman, with no family. She grew up in an orphanage, and has no emotional attachments. Following a tip from a rival businessman, she gets sent to prison for insider trading. Upon her release, she realizes she has no assets and has to fall back on living with her former assistant and her daughter. While living in that small apartment in Chicago, Michelle realizes that she has an opportunity to get back in business with girl scout cookies style of venture. What starts as a small endeavor quickly becomes something much bigger.
"The Boss" is another vehicle for Melissa McCarthy's undeniable charisma and talent. It's a comedy that tries very hard to have a bit of a racy side, alongside a bubblier one, however the tone is never achieved as successfully as the other films where McCarthy's talent has truly shone through. "The Boss" never finds it's tone, and some of the situations and scenarios fall flat and just go on interminably - the storyline involving Peter Dinklage is the best example of something that is under developed and where there isn't much momentum (the same can be said for Kathy Bates cameo, which could have been a much richer side to the story). Melissa McCarthy tries really hard to elevate the material, but for the most part this film has too many common places and not enough irreverence and intelligence. The additional cast has little to do, with Kristen Bell, Peter Dinklage and Tyler Labine trying to provide support, but their parts are severely underwritten. An easily forgotten vehicle for a talented comedic actress.