By Paul Hall
Being your own boss is the dream of so many individuals. The idea of coming and going as you please, never catching the wrath of an unreasonable request and having the ability to tell everyone else what to do motivates some extremely talented folks. But in contemplating running your own business, many forget about paying the bills, not giving away the profits and the plethora of really hard work in store for the person in charge. When two friends start their own business in the film Like a Boss, they will realize all of the above concerns and more.
Mia (Tiffany Haddish) and Mel (Rose Byrne) are best friends and have been there for each other since childhood. Together they own a cosmetic business and have carved out a niche in the marketplace.
Mia is the creative force behind new ideas and new looks. Her big drawback is the fact that, like so many creative people, she sometimes just wants to do her own thing and actually working is low on her priority list.
Mel handles the daily operations, including all of the business dealings for their company. She knows the financial pitfalls and tries her level-headed best to rein in her bestie for the good of the company. But those attempts often fall short, and the two end up going through life engaging in a near constant party atmosphere because of Mia’s desires and Mel’s inability to say no.
Mel knows the company is in trouble. Buried under a pile of debt, business is slow for the duo. When cosmetic icon Claire Luna (Salma Hayek) steps forward looking to invest in their small company, Mel sees a way out of the crisis and the path to financial freedom. But Mia isn’t so sure, and doesn’t want to lose her freedom.
While the pair decide on whether to become partners with the larger-than-life Claire, she plots her own course to continued success and to taking the company for herself, whether the others know it or not. Will Mia and Mel’s friendship withstand this transition or will Claire get everything for herself?
Haddish and Byrne have been in some very funny films through the years. I loved Girls Trip, especially Haddish’s performance, and laughed continuously throughout Byrne’s antics in Neighbors, but Like a Boss fell flat at almost every turn. Laughs felt forced and gross jokes were played out longer than they needed to be.
There is the framework for an interesting story here, but it never feels like a finished product. In fact, the most interested I became in the plot was when the story moved to the closing scenes, but then the film was over.
Like a Boss stumbles at managing laughs. I wanted to really enjoy this entrepreneurial ride, but instead I felt like it was a slog through another Monday in the rat race.
Paul’s Grade: C-
Like a Boss
Rated R
Stars: Tiffany Haddish, Rose Byrne, Salma Hayek
Director: Miguel Arteta
Available NOW on Blu-ray/DVD or digitally download and enjoy at online retailers everywhere, including iTunes, FandangoNOW, Amazon Prime Video and more.
