Review of The Boss (2016) by Rebecca K — 13 Apr 2016

Melissa McCarthy's biting brand of humor finds a fitting showcase in the foul-mouthed comedy "The Boss," but the funnywoman's latest project is also a mixed bag.

"The Boss" is pretty funny and I frequently found myself laughing out loud. But while there's a lot that works here, there's also a lot that doesn't. Its plot is formulaic and flimsy, capped off by a bizarre finale.

In the crude comedy, McCarthy plays Michelle Darnell, a self-made financial guru who's a cross between Suze Orman and Martha Stewart in tightly buttoned, high-neck blouses. After being passed around foster families as a child, the bull-headed Darnell now sells out arenas imparting personal finance advice.

After a vengeful ex-lover (Peter Dinklage) tips off authorities, Darnell is convicted of insider trading and serves prison time. When she gets out, the obnoxious felon finds she's burned all her bridges. She moves in with her ex-personal assistant, straight-laced single mother Claire (Kristen Bell), and her pre-teen daughter, Rachel (Ella Anderson).

Michelle accompanies Rachel to a meeting of a Girl Scouts-type group, the Dandelions.

Michelle then realizes she can reinvent herself by starting her own girls' group, Darnell's Darlings, and selling boxes of Claire's special-recipe brownies. But it won't be easy, as Michelle faces obstacles from business adversaries, a hostile Dandelion mother (Annie Mumolo) and her own family issues as she finds herself growing close to Claire and Rachel.

"The Boss" takes about 10 to 15 minutes to warm up, but when it does, the laughs flow consistently. Filled with raunchy jokes and language, the film plays to McCarthy's strengths as its talented star knocks off hilarious insults and zingers left and right. This style of in-your-face comedy works for McCarthy because she says the things you only wish you could say to people.

The film's funniest moments include the Dandelions meetings, a nursing bra argument and an over-the-top street fight between the girl groups.

Though "The Boss" works within its own pocket of humor, the film, directed by McCarthy's husband, Ben Falcone, falls short of McCarthy's previous efforts, "Bridesmaids," "The Heat" and last year's magnificent "Spy," all three of which were directed by Paul Feig. McCarthy and Falcone co-wrote the screenplay for "The Boss," their second film collaboration after 2014's "Tammy." Though McCarthy and Falcone know how to mine laughs, the storytelling in "The Boss" is not as well-developed as that in her comedies with Feig.

The film ends up taking a predictable route, creating a very contrived conflict between Michelle and Claire. This leads to a mess of a third act and a drop-off in humor, with an absurd swordfight and unfunny sexual gag that quickly wears out its welcome.

As Claire, Bell does fine as McCarthy's straight woman, but her character is fairly generic and could have been played by anyone. Dinklage, of "Game of Thrones" fame, is mostly wasted in a strange role that feels like a cartoon villain. Anderson injects heart as Claire's daughter, and Tyler Labine brings an awkward charm as Claire's co-worker turned love interest.

If you're already a Melissa McCarthy fan, then you will likely enjoy "The Boss." If you're not, this probably won't be the film to win you over. But if you're looking for some good laughs, let "The Boss" order you around.