Often, the most frustrating aspect of Arteta’s feature also comes from the lack of characterization. Here, he forgets to put the show in “show & tell.” Because that’s all every character in Like a Boss does. They tell you Mia’s the brains behind most of the companies’ projects. They tell you Mel is the organizer to ensure Mia has the proper setup to make these ideas come to fruition. To make matters worse, only so often within these moments do they actually share stories of substance.
Maybe that all comes back to the perspective with which the story is told. While Cole-Kelly and Pitman do a comprehensive job of showcasing that women can have a career without wanting the traditional domestic life, it’s 2020. This is no longer a foreign concept. The more puzzling issue is that the foundation is still lacking. Mel and Mia’s decision-making, their outlooks on the true meaning of success—these are important things to consider on their journey towards becoming bosses. And yet, we don’t ever come to know who these women truly are. Would a woman’s pen have changed that? Maybe, maybe not. But to really show women onscreen is to make women feel seen and understood. What better way than to use the perspective of one who possesses these feelings?
“…the film is still too absurd for its own good.“
My guess is as good as anyone’s, but something tells me viewers may be wanting more out of a film entitled Like a Boss. But if it’s humor you’re looking for, this might be an insufficient find. For me, it took quite a while to even reach a standard laugh. To some extent, it’s because every scene plays like an awkward comedy sketch with performers saying things they think audiences want to hear. This just makes everything derivative and uninspiring. And yet, the film is still too absurd for its own good.
But as unoriginal and awkward as Like a Boss is, Byrne and Haddish do everything in their power to elevate the mundane script to something worth viewing. Did they succeed? I’m hesitant to commit to an unapologetic ‘yes’ because the trailers certainly didn’t lie this time. This is about as lifeless and unfunny as it gets.
"…“If it’s humor you’re looking for, this might be an insufficient find.”"
