Since the inception of the comedic masterpiece known as Bridesmaids hit theaters, Melissa McCarthy has been a comedy firestorm to be reckoned with. McCarthy has been a busy woman since Bridesmaids, appearing in just about every major comedy film in theaters as of late. However the problem with riding a wave of success for so long, is there comes a point where it slows down or even falls altogether. McCarthy’s latest film The Boss, directed by her husband and go to director Ben Falcone, is the farthest thing from the woman we saw in Bridesmaids…and it isn’t the McCarthy we want to see.
The Boss follows business titan Michelle Darnell (McCarthy) who is sent to prison after she is exposed for insider trading by her former lover Renault (Peter Dinklage), who still holds a massive grudge towards her for their breakup. After her time in prison is up, Michelle hatches a plan to rebrand herself with the help of her friends and colleagues, however not everyone is so quick to forgive and forget. With her belongings and properties seized by the government, Michelle seeks shelter from her former assistant Claire (Kristen Bell) and her daughter Rachel (Ella Anderson). After attending one of Rachel’s “Dandelions” meetings and discovering that thousands of dollars were made last year with their cookie sales, Michelle hatches a plan to create a business centered on baked goods. Will Michelle be able to get back on top? Or will she fall once again, betraying everyone in her life once again?
It took only seeing the trailer to know that this film has absolutely no originality to it. The story has been done before time and time again in many different scenarios, but adding Melissa McCarthy to the film does not make it any different. To make matters worse this film is directed by Ben Falcone. Upon her success from Bridesmaids, McCarthy followed the direction of her husband in the bomb Tammy, which should have been an indicator for her not to star in his movies, for the sake of her career. McCarthy’s films seem to be repeats of each other now, with the same thing occurring in every movie. We get her in ridiculous falls, fighting with someone, or making vulgar expressions, and it’s funny…but not when you see it in every single movie she is in.
It all becomes extremely repetitive, and McCarthy will start to lose her comedic touch, especially if she keeps starring in her husband’s films. The Boss had a couple of scenes worthy of a chuckle, but it completely lacks originality, which takes away from the humor. The film will definitely garner McCarthy fans however, I believe, many of them will be left leaving the theater as disappointed as I was.
Grade: C–
