The Boss Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A ruthless businesswoman goes to jail for insider trading, then starts a brownie empire with a single mom and a bunch of kids, leading to a full-blown cookie war!

🍿 The Boss: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction of Michelle Darnell

Michelle Darnell is introduced as a wealthy and powerful businesswoman, known for her aggressive tactics and motivational speaking. Flashbacks reveal a difficult childhood spent in orphanages, shaping her self-reliant and often ruthless personality. She is the 47th richest woman in America.

Insider Trading and Imprisonment

Darnell’s world crumbles when her former lover and current business rival, Renault, exposes her for insider trading. She is arrested and sentenced to prison, losing her fortune and reputation. This sets the stage for her journey of redemption and reinvention.

Rebuilding with Claire and the Darlings

Upon release from prison, penniless and with nowhere to go, Michelle seeks refuge with her former assistant, Claire, and her daughter, Rachel. Inspired by Rachel’s Girl Scout troop, Michelle starts a brownie-selling business called ‘Darnell’s Darlings,’ using Claire’s baking skills to rebuild her empire.

Conflict and Betrayal

As ‘Darnell’s Darlings’ gains momentum, conflicts arise with the established Dandelions (a Girl Scout-like organization), leading to intense competition and even physical altercations. Michelle’s old habits resurface, causing tension with Claire and Rachel, as she struggles to balance her ambition with genuine connection.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Michelle Darnell (Melissa McCarthy): A ruthless business mogul who faces imprisonment for insider trading and must rebuild her empire.
• Claire (Kristen Bell): Michelle’s former assistant and a single mother who reluctantly takes Michelle in after her release from prison.
• Renault (Peter Dinklage): Michelle’s vengeful former lover and business rival who orchestrates her downfall.
• Rachel (Ella Anderson): Claire’s empathetic daughter who encourages her mother to help Michelle.
• Ida Marquette (Kathy Bates): Michelle’s former mentor who initially despises her but later funds her new venture.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Michelle Darnell: “I am on a mission from sparkle!” – Michelle proclaims her commitment to success and reinvention after hitting rock bottom.
• Michelle Darnell: “I tried a Dorito for the first time last night. It wasn’t cheese. It was… cheese adjacent, but not cheese. It was really good!” – Highlights Michelle’s sheltered life and comedic ignorance of common things.
• Michelle Darnell: “I am the 47th wealthiest woman in the United States.” – Michelle introduces herself with her signature bombastic and confident style at the start of her motivational speech.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $29,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $63,285,885
• Worldwide Gross: $78,844,582

💥 The Boss Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went in expecting some laughs, and I definitely got a few! Melissa McCarthy is always good for physical comedy, and there are some genuinely funny moments. However, I felt like the movie tried too hard to be edgy with all the foul language in front of the kids. The brawl scene with the scout troops went on for too long and made me squirm. The brownie business idea was good, and I rooted for her character to get her life back together. I give it a 6 out of 10.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Melissa McCarthy’s physical comedy”
  • “Viewers who enjoy raunchy, over-the-top comedies”
  • “Audiences looking for a lighthearted and silly movie”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Crude humor”
  • “Suggestive content”
  • “Some violence, including depictions of children fighting”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While McCarthy’s comedic timing is undeniable, ‘The Boss’ relies too heavily on crude humor and cartoonish violence, overshadowing the potential for genuine wit and heart. The plot feels disjointed, and the film struggles to find a consistent tone.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “McCarthy delivers her usual energetic performance, but the script lacks originality and depth. The supporting cast is underutilized, and the film’s attempts at sentimentality feel forced and unearned. Ultimately, ‘The Boss’ fails to live up to its comedic potential.
• RogerEbert.com: “‘The Boss’ has intermittent moments of humor, but it mostly misses the mark. The plot is too predictable, and the characters lack complexity. While McCarthy is undeniably talented, she’s let down by weak writing and uninspired direction.

Audience Reactions

The quirky humor and physical comedy scenes were unexpectedly hilarious and entertaining.: Most viewers enjoyed McCarthy’s over-the-top performance and the ridiculous scenarios.

The cast chemistry between McCarthy, Bell, and Dinklage was great.: Most fans praised Peter Dinklage’s unusual role

Overall Consensus: While some viewers found ‘The Boss’ to be hilarious and entertaining, others criticized its reliance on crude humor and predictable plot, resulting in mixed overall reception.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Melissa McCarthy’s real-life daughters appear in the movie; Mellissa’s older daughter Vivian Falcone plays 10-year old Michelle in 1980 and Melissa’s youngest daughter Georgette plays a background extra.”
• “The film is directed by Ben Falcone, Melissa McCarthy’s husband, who has directed other films starring McCarthy, such as ‘Tammy’ and ‘Life of the Party’.”
• “The movie features a sword fight scene between Melissa McCarthy and Peter Dinklage, adding an unexpected action element to the comedy.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Boss?

Currently, ‘The Boss’ is available for streaming on platforms such as Peacock. You can also rent or purchase it on demand through services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Boss, you might like these similar films:

• Tammy (2014): Also starring Melissa McCarthy and directed by Ben Falcone, focuses on a woman trying to turn her life around after a setback.
• Bridesmaids (2011): Features Melissa McCarthy in a hilarious role as she navigates life’s challenges.
• Identity Thief (2013): Another comedy featuring Melissa McCarthy where she causes chaos and comedic situations.
• Like a Boss (2020): A modern comedy about female friendship and starting a business, offering similar themes and humor.

🛒 The Boss Related Products

• Michelle Darnell Motivational Speaker Bobblehead: A limited-edition bobblehead of Melissa McCarthy as Michelle Darnell, complete with a power turtleneck and fiery phoenix base. A must-have for fans of her unique comedic style.
• The Boss: Darnell’s Darlings Brownie Mix Set: Create your own Darnell’s Darlings brownies at home with this exclusive baking kit. Includes Claire’s secret recipe, themed sprinkles, and a ‘Boss’ apron.
• The Boss: Rise to the Top Board Game: A strategic board game where players compete as aspiring entrepreneurs, navigating business deals and brownie sales to build their own empires, inspired by the movie’s themes.
• Melissa McCarthy Movie Collection (DVD): This collection features some of Melissa McCarthy’s most iconic and hilarious roles, including ‘The Boss’. A perfect gift for fans of her comedy, complete with bonus features and behind-the-scenes content.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Boss features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Love Will Keep Us Together” – performed by Captain & Tennille
• “DMX” – performed by X Gon’ Give It to Ya

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Community – Abed explains “Who’s the Boss?”

Ever wondered what’s *really* going on in ‘Who’s the Boss?’? Abed from Community breaks it down in the most hilarious way. His explanation is so spot-on, it’s genius!

✨ Rate