Like a Boss Warms Up January With Big Laughs

(01/07/2020)

With 2017's GIRLS TRIP, Tiffany Haddish finally had her breakthrough moment after years of hard work. Since then, we haven't been able to take our eyes off of her. She's appeared in big studio comedies like NIGHT SCHOOL and NOBODY'S FOOL, smaller films like THE OATH and BETWEEN TWO FERNS: THE MOVIE, animated features (she voiced characters in THE LEGO MOVIE 2, THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE 2 and SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2 this year alone) and the occasional drama such as this past summer's THE KITCHEN.

Whatever she's doing, we have to watch. Haddish is one of the most unpredictable, versatile and laugh-out-loud funny performers working today. Which makes her upcoming comedy LIKE A BOSS feel like the very definition of must-watch entertainment. Time to find out everything you need to know about the cosmetics world comedy!

The Foundation

[Image credit: Paramount Pictures]

That trailer makes this movie look like a whole lot of fun. Tiffany Haddish and Rose Byrne play small business owners whose cosmetics line is in dire need of help. Enter Selma Hayek, as a big-time investor looking to take a chance on their company. (Think of her as the Marcus Lemonis of this world, with a more blazing fashion sense.) Once Hayek has her hooks on the homegrown company, Haddish and Byrne start to realize that she is taking advantage of them. Things go from bad to worse to absolutely madcap, if the trailer is any indication.

The Application

LIKE A BOSS began life as a script called LIMITED PARTNERS that was purchased by Paramount in 2017. The fact that it's already coming out is pretty telling, since movies can often take many years to reach the big screen. That suggests that the script was compelling and that the actors really took to it. One of the first things Paramount did was attach Haddish to the project, which seems downright genius.

The choice of director was a bold move, too. Miguel Arteta has directed a number of charming independent features like CHUCK & BUCK, THE GOOD GIRL (starring an absolutely wonderful Jennifer Aniston) and CEDAR RAPIDS. He's never tackled a broad studio comedy like this, which is very exciting, especially when you factor in that he led Selma Hayek to some of the best reviews of her career in 2017's BEATRIZ AT DINNER. Judging by how many incredible zingers she gets to rattle off in the trailer, this creative partnership is continuing to flourish.

A Wonderful Assortment

While Haddish might be the main draw for LIKE A BOSS, she is flanked by amazing performers. Byrne has proven herself, from BRIDESMAIDS to NEIGHBORS, to be one of the funniest actresses out there (and one of the most consistently underrated), and the two of them have an array of incredible supporting performers, including Jennifer Coolidge, Billy Porter (whose dramatic exit in the trailer is everything), Jessica St. Clair, and Jimmy O. Yang. It's a murderer's row of folks who will tickle your funny bone.

Timing and Application

The January opening date for LIKE A BOSS seems perfect. This way we get the best of both worlds: Some heavy awards contenders, like JUST MERCY and 1917, and a big-hearted comedy to balance things out. We love the movies that tackle the serious subjects and existential questions, but wouldn't want to go without a frothy comedy as dessert. Bring it on. We can't wait for the quips.

LIKE A BOSS opens on January 10!