We’re roughly about a week and a half into this new year. I feel like the older I get, the less I hear about resolutions. Honestly, speaking, what is your resolution for this year? Do you even have one? Will you keep it? Please indulge and humor me and leave your resolution in the comments below. My resolution is extraordinarily bizarre and is honestly a play out of our resident movie man’s book. A large portion of my goal in creating this content, especially reviews, has been to approach a subject with the least bit of bias as possible. In 2019, I started to ask myself, what do the bare bones of a film truly look like? How does a film operate in such a capacity?
How do you come just a bit further than that? My resolution for 2020 was to stop watching trailers. Crazy, I know but the movie we’re here about to talk about is exactly why my resolution is in place. Mean Girls is one of my favorite movies of all time. We even did a celebration episode last fall on Mean Girls Day (October 3rd, in case anyone was wondering). When I first saw the trailer for Like a Boss, it honestly gave me the impression of an adult Mean Girls. I’m here to tell you that if you were like me, and hey maybe I’m alone, Boss is not such a movie.
Like a Boss tells the story of two best friends turned business partners, Mel & Mia (Rose Byrne & Tiffany Haddish), who to escape debt turn to a cosmetic mogul (Salma Hayek). However, it’s in that escape, that friendship and business get tested. If you were to put Like a Boss into a relationship status on social media, it should be fined under complicated. There is as much to love about this film that there is to hate. Byrne and Haddish have genuine chemistry. Had there been any other leading ladies in the starring roles – the movie would have been an even sloppier mess. With one scene, in particular, the two are talking on a rooftop. Haddish’s character is sharing how shallow people where after the passing of her mother were but Byrne entered in with McDonalds. Being exactly what she needed in that moment. It’s a tender moment that helped solidify the characters on screen and the actresses’ chemistry being the roles to life.
Apart, though, is a completely different story. Byrne has proven herself as a dramatic actress. She in one word here is just fine. While, Haddish has a habit of playing herself in just about everything she does. She is loud, annoying and can come across redundant. Sadly, Boss, dips into that arena on several occasions. For its’ less than 90-minute runtime, Boss is busy. It’s the side trips of these characters that are supposed to make the world feel filled out. In the end, it weighs the movie down and helps steer it towards forgettable territory. Even as I’m writing this review now, I can’t remember the names of the characters associated with the core cast. Spoiler alert: I have IMDb open, as well. Ari Graynor, Karan Soni, Ryan Hansen, Jessica St. Clair, Jimmy O. Yang – all feel void of purpose in the movie.
Even though, Like a Boss won’t go down as one of this year’s most memorable films – it’s not without its fun. Aforementioned, the chemistry between Byrne and Haddish is strong. Even when Haddish is doing what Haddish does – some of the jokes do land. Proving that she still has some charm to lay upon us. Even, with the predictability that comes with it, the grand finale of the film is heartwarming. Once again playing into the common strand of Byrne and Haddish’s chemistry. Their natural chemistry helps ground the film in a unique way that will have audiences cheering for the two.
Overall, Like a Boss, is a mixed bag of cinematic cosmetics. Not quite the level of beauty that Claire Luna is striving for. However, it exists somewhere right below where the film’s protagonists, Mel & Mia, would want it to be. The film has its funny moments, sure. Through, it’s the chemistry between Rose Byrne and Tiffany Haddish that shines as the film’s true beauty. The two have a natural chemistry that is rare to find in our current age of comedy. The real shame is that it’s not in a better movie. Boss is littered with side characters in a run time that barely scratches 80 minutes. Weighing the film down instead of fleshing out the characters at hand. Like a Boss aims to be stylish but came to the party in an outdated, predictable comedy.
RORSCHACH RATING:
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Music by Beggars. Like a Boss is property of Paramount Pictures.. We do not own nor claim any rights.