Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Bell star in a scene from the movie "The Boss." The Catholic News Service classification is O -- morally offensive. (CNS/Universal)

By Catholic News Service

After a prison stint for insider trading, a disgraced businesswoman (Melissa McCarthy, who also co-wrote the script) moves in with her former assistant (Kristen Bell) and the secretary’s preteen daughter (Ella Anderson).

While minding the youngster, she strikes on the idea of staging a comeback by starting a for-profit version of the Girl Scouts to market her long-suffering hostess’ outstanding brownies. But her plan is threatened by the ex-lover-turned-rival (Peter Dinklage) whose tip to the authorities brought about her downfall.

Dead-end subplots and trashy humor alternate with failed attempts at a more serious tone in director and co-writer Ben Falcone’s dim star vehicle. Whether exposing her backside to her roommates or working through the emotional problems bred during her childhood in an orphanage, McCarthy’s character makes a thorough nuisance of herself, inspiring more grimaces than giggles.

Much slapstick violence, pervasive vulgar humor, drug use, an implied premarital encounter, relentless rough and crude language. The Catholic News Service classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

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