LIKE A BOSS: A Great Comedy For Beginner Entrepreneurs
Zofia lives in LA and is passionate about pop culture,…
It has to be fantastic to have your own business. You make all decisions, pick staff, locations, etc. It’s even better when you’re doing it with your best friend that you’ve known since you were a child. People say that business and private relationships shouldn’t blend, but Mel (Rose Byrne) and Mia (Tiffany Haddish) will prove you otherwise.
In Miguel Arteta‘s Like a Boss, Haddish and Byrne portray two best friends of twenty years who own a makeup store and carry their line of cosmetics. With the help of Barrett (Billy Porter) and Sydney (Jennifer Coolidge), they successfully started their company from the ground. But their company, “Mel & Mia” is now in significant debt and trouble. Thankfully, the assistance comes in the most unexpected moment.
Claire Luna (Salma Hayek), the multimillionaire who manages a makeup empire herself, offers to pay Mel & Mia’s horrendous debt in exchange for almost half of the profit percentage. In light of the hard decision making, the two women’s much different personalities come to the surface. Where Mel sees an incredible opportunity that may save their business, Mia senses Claire’s artifice. Both women will have to make crucial decisions and come to the consensus if they want Mel & Mia to survive another year.
It’s The Little Things That Count
While Like a Boss is not an elaborate story that will win Academy Awards, it is still fresh, especially for young women or women who are thinking about opening their enterprise. Rose Byrne and Tiffany Haddish present female friendship in a real way – as it exists in a modern society. Instead of the toxic relationship between the two female characters, the audience gets a duo that brilliantly depicts the lives of flatmates and business partners. Although both very different, women complete each other.
Arteta’s comedy works because of the little things that female viewers can relate to – for example, bickering scenes between Mel and Mia. They also have their perfect karaoke song and a morning system that works for them. One of them is entirely outspoken and is not afraid of dispute. In contrast, the other prefers to be silent and experience everything inside other than speak out.
Although the story seems to be over-emphasized by other films (two women in “business” that have a breakdown, but then come back stronger), Byrne and Haddish are like a breath of fresh air in the chaos associated with the Awards season. The relationship between the two main characters is warm. It will make the viewer feel like being surrounded by best friends. It allows the viewer to break away from reality for a moment.
Alongside the two leads, we have a chance to experience the greatness of Billy Porter‘s comedic talent. With Jennifer Coolidge portraying Sydney, they create a duo of “besties” as well.
Honesty Is Key
In the world of Instagram, Twitter, and the incredible evolution of technology, the doors for small businesses are wide open. The complexity is in keeping them afloat. Like a Boss may be a fluffy comedy, perfect for girls’ night out, but it teaches a valuable lesson, too.
Looking at the story presented by Byrne and Haddish – the key is honesty. As the plot depicts, running a business with a friend is hard, but it’s even harder than with a stranger. Like a Boss is a comedy that represents the struggle of a woman owning a small business. With the help of the story of Mia and Mel battling Claire and her enormous empire, the creators tell the story of ordinary women that wake up, work hard and win every single day by making it work.
Like A Boss: Conclusion
It may not be the best comedy of the new decade, but it is unquestionably an entertaining film that is worth the watch. Empowering picture of female entrepreneurs and friends of twenty years showcases the real struggle of women in the business world. Although Like a Boss is R-rated, it’s good entertainment for young adults.
What did you think of Like a Boss and the duo of Rose Byrne and Tiffany Haddish?
Like a Boss premiered on January 10th, 2020 in US and will premiere on February 21st, 2020 in UK.
Does content like this matter to you?
Become a Member and support film journalism. Unlock access to all of Film Inquiry`s great articles. Join a community of like-minded readers who are passionate about cinema - get access to our private members Network, give back to independent filmmakers, and more.
Zofia lives in LA and is passionate about pop culture, television. and Stevie Nicks. She graduated from the University of Wroclaw, Poland with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Social Communication with Creative Writing. Her work revolves around women in television and film. She is a staff writer First Showing and Contributing Writer for AwardsWatch, Film Inquiry, Screen Queens, and In Their Own League. She loves the 'Scream' movies, 'Carol' and 'Big Little Lies'. – @thefilmnerdette