Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
A titan of industry is sent to prison after she's caught for insider trading. When she emerges ready to rebrand herself as America's latest sweetheart, not everyone she screwed over is so quick to forgive and forget.
The Boss is a middling comedy vehicle for Melissa McCarthy that fails to fully capitalize on its premise. The plot is formulaic and predictable, hitting the expected beats of a redemption arc without much surprise or depth. McCarthy brings her usual comedic energy and physical comedy chops, elevating the material somewhat, and Kristen Bell provides solid support. Cinematography is unremarkable TV-movie level work with nothing visually distinctive. The concept of a corporate titan humbled and rebuilding through a girl-scout brownie empire has some novelty potential but is executed in a generic, by-the-numbers fashion. The ending wraps things up too neatly and without much earned emotional payoff, feeling rushed and convenient.