Susan Granger’s review of “The Boss” (Universal Pictures)
You can see Melissa McCarthy’s best bits from this wannabe comedy in the trailer.
As brash Michelle Darnell, she’s a self-made financial guru – “the 47th wealthiest woman in America” – who gets arrested and convicted for insider trading. When she’s released from prison, she’s so broke that she’s forced to bunk in with her former assistant, Claire (Kristen Bell).
A hard-working single mom, Claire lives in a cramped, second-floor apartment with her tween daughter, Rachel (Ella Anderson).
“You’re dressed like someone who grocery shops at CVS,” Michelle tells Claire as she’s preparing for a date.
When Michelle takes Rachel to her Dandelion (think Girl Scout) troop meeting, she tangles with another mother and, subsequently, concocts a plan to have the girls sell Claire’s delicious “family recipe” brownies instead of cookies – and take home some real profit from their efforts.
Territorial integrity prompts a violent street brawl (shot in slow-motion) between the Dandelions and Michelle’s recruits, Darnell’s Darlings, along with a romantic subplot involving a rival entrepreneur, Ron/Renault (Peter Dinklage).
Raised in a Catholic orphanage after being rejected from series of foster homes, self-reliant Michelle firmly believes that human relationships – a.k.a. family – are an unwanted burden, along with feeling compassion.
Episodically scripted by Melissa McCarthy and her husband, director Ben Falcone (“Tammy”), along with Steve Mallory, it’s a vulgar, if zany riff on female empowerment – which is a good thing, as Martha Stewart would say.
Years ago, this creative trio worked together as part of Los Angeles’ improve theater troupe known as the Groundlings – and that’s where the arrogant, profanity-spewing Michelle Darnell character first surfaced.
Problem is: the vulgar, R-rated shenanigans aren’t appropriate for the young audience that would most appreciate the slapstick pratfalls.
FYI: Melissa McCarthy just became the first female recipient of MTV’s Comedic Genius Award and will return as Sookie St. James, the ditsy chef on Netflix’s “Gilmore Girls” four-part revival.
On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “The Boss” is a flimsy 4. Melissa McCarthy deserves better.
