Like a Boss (2020)    Paramount/Comedy    RT: 83 minutes    Rated R (language, crude sexual material, drug use)    Director: Miguel Arteta    Screenplay: Sam Pitman and Adam Cole-Kelly    Music: Christophe Beck    Cinematography: Jas Shelton    Release date: January 10, 2020 (US)    Cast: Tiffany Haddish, Rose Byrne, Salma Hayek, Jennifer Coolidge, Billy Porter, Karan Soni, Ari Graynor, Natasha Rothwell, Jessica St. Clair, Jacob Latimore, Jimmy O. Yang, Ryan Hansen, Veronica and Vanessa Merrell, Lisa Kudrow.    Box Office: $22.2M (US)/$29.7M (World)

Rating: **

 Happy New Year, really? January brings with it winter weather, SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), a high divorce rate and bad-to-mediocre comedies at the multiplex. The year’s first month is traditionally a dumping ground for movies that shouldn’t even see the light of day much less the inside of a theater. The funny movies aren’t all that funny yet audiences make them hits. In recent years, meh first-month releases like The Wedding Ringer and the two Ride Along movies made serious moola. My theory is that standards are lowered when it’s cold and gray outside. People will pay to see anything that looks even remotely amusing. It’s the only reason Like a Boss has a ghost of a chance at the box office.

 I won’t deny that I laughed a few times during Like a Boss, a female-driven buddy comedy about long time friends and business partners, Mia (Haddish, Girls Trip) and Mel (Byrne, Bridesmaids), going up against a ruthless cosmetics queen, Claire Luna (Hayek, Grown Ups), who’s trying to steal their business and ruin their friendship. Friends since middle school, Mia amd Mel have always had a flair for making other girls feel beautiful about their looks and selves. They believe that beauty comes from within and makeup should be used not to hide flaws, but highlight the user’s best features. Sadly, the brick-and-mortar shop they jointly own and operate is on the verge of going under. They’re nearly half a million dollars in debt. When successful beauty maven Claire offers to bail them out, Mel sees it as a godsend while Mia is suspicious. Mia is right, of course; Claire’s intentions are the opposite of altruistic.

 I’ve long held that comedies can be funny without being any good. Like a Boss is a perfect example. While far from being a classic comedy, it does deliver approximately a handful of laughs and chuckles. HOWEVER, it’s poorly put together and character development leaves A LOT to be desired. We know precious little about Mel and Mia except that Mia’s family basically took in Mel because her mother was a drug addict. It’s also shown that Mel is the practical one while Mia flies by the seat of her pants. If that’s the case, why isn’t it the other way around with their feelings about Claire? Shouldn’t Mel be the one with concerns about their wannabe benefactor? It’s inconsistencies like this that left me with more questions than answers.

 Here’s another observation about Like a Boss. It reeks of a comedy that underwent some last minute cutting before it hit theaters. The choppy nature and brief running time (83 minutes) are dead giveaways. The problem is they left in all the scenes that were shown in the trailer, one that played before practically every movie released in the last few months. So what was cut out? If I had to guess, I’d say it was probably scenes expanding on Claire’s reasons for going out of her way to destroy Mia and Mel. Is it sport or spite? Could it be jealousy? Maybe it has to do with unresolved feelings over a former business associate? The movie is also unclear about Mia and Mel’s trio of MWK (Married with Kids) girlfriends. They regard M&M with a combination of envy and admiration. Sometimes they’re supportive; other times, critical. What’s their deal? And if I’m being completely honest, I’m not quite sure what to make of Mia and Mel’s friendship. Is it extreme loyalty or stunted growth that keeps them together? The movie doesn’t seem to know either.

 I will say that Haddish is her usual funny self while Byrne provides adequate support as the straight woman. As for chemistry, it’s neither magic nor tragic. It doesn’t feel forced, but it doesn’t feel natural either. They’re fine together, but it’s nothing particularly special. Hayek’s villain is like something out of a cartoon. She resembles a small-size, live-action version of Jessica Rabbit (she’s even described as such by Byrne’s character). The only thing she doesn’t do is order explosives, fake tunnel holes and anvils from ACME Corp. On-Line. Karan Soni, the cabbie from Deadpool 1 & 2, turns in an embarrassing performance as Claire’s creepy assistant. The most laughs come from Billy Porter (Pose) as a sassy employee at Mia & Mel’s. I realize his character is a gay black stereotype, but there’s no denying he gets the film’s funniest lines. Jennifer Coolidge (Legally Blonde 1 & 2) as the other employee is also pretty good. It’s too bad their characters aren’t developed beyond this.

 Directed by Miguel Arteta of the bitingly funny social satire Beatriz at Dinner (also featuring Hayek), Like a Boss shows some potential if you can get past the crude, R-rated humor and silly antics. It wants to entertain and nearly succeeds if you keep your expectations low. I can’t quite recommend it, but I don’t dislike it either. I suppose if you’re looking to beat the winter blues and don’t have high standards, you might enjoy it a little.