Movie Review- Jackie K Cooper
"The Boss" (Universal)
Melissa McCarthy is her own worst enemy in "The Boss". Since she co-wrote the script and then hired husband Ben Falcone to direct she has to take the blame for every misstep and bad choice that is made, and believe me there are many on view. "The Boss" is a movie about a ferocious business woman, a woman who knows how to sling her weight around. She is going to do what she wants to do and people who are in her way had better watch out.
This character, named Michelle Darnell, is not one to tread lightly. She spews profanities and uses phrases that would make a sailor blush. We have seen this type of character in other movies in which McCarthy has starred. This time however she is in a movie full of child actors and the cussing, swearing and obscene language is used in front of them and by them. That is not the way to ingratiate herself to an audience.
You have to wonder who McCarthy thinks is the audience for this type of movie. Unless it is a comedy of "Bridesmaids" calibre her audience has usually proven to be older and mostly women. The younger generation is not the major supporter of her films. So if she is going to aim at an older skewing audience didn't the thought just cross her mind it might be better received if it is rated PG-13? She needed to trim the profanity a bit and leave most of the gross out jokes on the cutting room floor.
The movie does have its enjoyable moments. You learn to understand Michelle a little based on her childhood problems and that makes her a little more human. Also McCarthy is a physical comedienne and she can take a fall with the best of them. She also knows her way around a funny line. However the lapses into gross profanity and obscenities slow down the film rather than giving a smooth enjoyable flow.
Kristen Bell is rather bland as her much put upon assistant while Peter Dinklage seems to be appearing in a different movie altogether as her business rival. One bright spot is Annie Mumolo as a cookie selling rival. Her scenes with McCarthy are the best in the movie.
The film is rated R for violence, profanity and adult situations.
Melissa McCarthy is a comedic treasure. She can be funny, clever and charming at the drop of a hat. But lately she seems to think her only path to success is in R rated movies. That may bring her some measure of success but a bigger audience is waiting for her to just tone it down a little.
I scored "The Boss" an overbearing 5 out of 10.
Jackie K Cooper
www.jackiekcooper.com