Movie Review - The Boss

The Boss ** (out of 5) (R) If Charles Dickens were still alive, he’s describe Melissa McCarthy’s movie career as representing the best of times and the worst of times. When her ample charm and truly unique skills for physical comedy find the right vehicle, she can be hilarious. Her first gig hosting Saturday Night Live may be the best example of wisely deploying her artistry and range. Among movie leads, Spy and The Heat were funny and satisfying; Tammy, Identity Thief and this one fall far short on both counts.

By the time you’ve seen the trailers, you’ve already covered most of the biggest laughs. McCarthy plays a reprehensible woman whose awful childhood turned her into the greedy, selfish sort of bully who built a financial empire by intimidating or betraying all in her wake. She could be the demon spawn of Donald Trump and Martha Stewart - inheriting business and brashness from him, and insider trading from her. One former victim (Peter Dinklage, who is likely embarrassed by this stain on his distinguished resume) turns whistleblower, sending to jail and seizure of all assets.

When she’s paroled, she starts to see how lonely and desperate she’s made herself, and starts a rebuilding plan, forcing her will on others, primarily her former assistant (Kristin Bell). Their path to the inevitable “aha moments” and happy ending is mostly painful to watch, with the laughs too few and far between. The direction from her husband (Ben Falcone, who also plays a minor role) isn’t bad, but the script they co-wrote with Steve Mallory is a mess, wasting what seemed like a premise with promise. Too many jerky encounters; too slow a learning curve; cartoonish characters all around. The package adds up to degrading a potentially heartwarming, yet high-octane comedy into an annoying trudge to the finish line. The only winner here is Kathy Bates, who cashed a check for only two brief scenes, and was spared the rest. (4/8/16)