Like A Boss

Mia and Mel have a lot going for themselves. Together they own a self-titled beauty company (Mia and Mel’s), where they bring joy to young women all over town through the power of beauty products. Most importantly, they have each other. For 20 years, they’ve been best friends through the ups and downs knowing they’ll always have one another as a support system. But when their livelihood is suddenly threatened by a horde of debt, Mel and Mia must impress a spectator investor who secretly aims to steal their ideas before their very eyes.

“…Mel and Mia must impress a spectator investor who secretly aims to steal their ideas...”

Miguel Arteta’s feature, Like a Boss, is the first female-centered comedy of the new decade. It comes after a time when films like Girls Trip (2017) and Booksmart (2019) have been successes among fans and critics alike. And rightfully so, because these examples show female friendships with a sense of care, realism and reflection. Part of this can be attributed to the teams behind these projects- women writers. Like a Boss, on the other hand, learned nothingfrom its predecessors as a pair of male writers take their shot at showcasing the ins and outs of the cosmetic world. Is it an odd choice? Maybe– especially considering the subject matter. But writers Adam Cole-Kelly and Sam Pitman prove that it’s not always a detriment. Instead, it’s justglaringly obvious, and the script completely lacks the perspective necessary to achieve a fresh outlook on female friendship.

The film’s first downfall is due to a script that is unoriginal at all times and cheesy at the most inopportune ones. It begs the question of why it even has an R rating. Sex jokes, offensive language and raunchiness are to blame, perhaps; but Arteta never capitalizes on his attempts to go above and beyond, if there were any. Even when things take a turn for the sentimental, fights are brief, apologies are inadequate and burying the hatchet is all too easy. But things are never as simple in life as they are in Like a Boss when it comes to mixing business and friendship.