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| Melissa McCarthy stars in The Boss |
Darnell 2.0
Rotten Tomatoes Plot: Academy Award-nominated star Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids, The Heat, Tammy) headlines The Boss as a titan of industry who is sent to prison after she's caught for insider trading. When she emerges ready to rebrand herself as America's latest sweetheart, not everyone she screwed over is so quick to forgive and forget. McCarthy is joined in The Boss by an all-star cast led by Kristen Bell, Peter Dinklage and Kathy Bates. Directed by Ben Falcone (Tammy), the comedy is based on an original character created by McCarthy and written by McCarthy and Falcone alongside their Groundlings collaborator, Steve Mallory. The film is produced by McCarthy and Falcone through their On the Day productions and Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Chris Henchy through their Gary Sanchez Productions.
The first hour of The Boss reminds us why McCarthy is Hollywood's funniest woman. She's charming, irreverent and most importantly... hilarious, turning otherwise mundane events (such as teeth whitening) into comedic gold. It's silly of course, but there's enough co-star power (Bates, Dinklage) good will and tomfoolery to overcome the film's comparatively insipid conclusion. I blame Falcone for inexplicably shifting gears, and going in a negative direction (so close to the finish line.) Can you say Tom Arnold? McCarthy needs a director (Paul Feig) who knows how to (best) utilize her considerable talents. Meanwhile, let's settle for almost great.
Grade: B-
