Like a Boss is a waste of potential. With comedic powerhouses like Tiffany Haddish, Rose Byrne, Jennifer Coolidge, and Billy Porter, you'd expect to have a hit. Though there are laughs to be had, they come entirely from the skills of the lead performers who are largely let down by a lackluster script and some shockingly choppy editing.

Tiffany Haddish and Rose Byrne play Mia and Mel, best friends who have started a makeup/beauty company together. They end up in considerable debt from starting their own business and decide to sign a contract with Claire Luna (Salma Hayek), a cosmetics mogul who has her own agenda when acquiring companies to add to her empire.

If this premise sounds familiar already,  that's because it's introduced thoroughly in the film's marketing campaign. The trailer gives away more than just the plot, but the vast majority of "comedic bits" as well. Whether it's Tiffany Haddish struggling to handle food that is excessively spicy, Tiffany Haddish threatening to jump off a high balcony in order to force a meeting with Claire Luna, or Billy Porter telling Mia and Mel to WITNESS. HIS. TRAGIC. MOMENT. the real tragedy is how much potential was wasted.

Perhaps most baffling of all is the ultra short run time of 83 minutes. This may account for why so much is given away in the trailer, as there is very little to draw from for marketing material. There was so much room to better develop the characters and flow of the story, since by the time the main conflict and fall-out happens, the resolution and wrap-up happens in what feels like five minutes (if you were to go back and time it it's probably closer to ten but the point still stands).

If you're a super fan of any of the lead actors and want to support their work, that's probably the only reason to show up.

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“A humorous chick flick for well-read audiences, Austenland is a novel concept.”

~ Claudia Puig, USA Today

Nominated for Grand Jury Prize at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival

AUSTENLAND

Starring Golden Globe Award^® Winner Keri Russell

With JJ Feild, Bret McKenzie, Jennifer Coolidge & Jane Seymour

On Blu-ray^™ & DVD Feb. 11

Culver City, Calif. (Dec. 2 2013) – AUSTENLAND, the delightful romantic comedy starring
Golden Globe^® winner Keri Russell (TV’s “Americans”), arrives on Blu-ray^™ and DVD Feb. 11^th from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Based on the novel by New York Times best-selling author Shannon Hale, AUSTENLAND presents a modern twist on the timeless tales of Jane Austen’s romance novels. The imaginative romantic comedy focuses on a woman named Jane (Russell), who is obsessed with the Regency era and the famed author’s fiction. AUSTENLAND premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and the film not only celebrates Austen, but also reminds us of her iconic work in the year (2013) that marks the 200^th anniversary of her first publication of “Pride and Prejudice.”

Austen enthusiasts everywhere can explore AUSTENLAND further with the Filmmaker Commentary included on the Blu-ray™ and DVD, featuring Jerusha Hess (co-writer of Napoleon Dynamite) in her directorial debut, as well as producer Stephenie Meyer (Twilight franchise). Also included is a cast Q&A on the making of the film, featuring the ensemble cast, including Keri Russell, JJ Feild (Captain America), Academy Award^® winner Bret McKenzie (Best Original Song, The Muppets, 2011), Jennifer Coolidge (American Pie, Legally Blonde), Georgia King (TV’s “The New Normal”), Ricky Whittle (TV’s “Single Ladies”), James Callis (TV’s “Battlestar Galactica”) and two-time Golden Globe^® winner Jane Seymour (TV's “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman”).

Directed by Jerusha Hess from a screenplay by Hess and Shannon Hale, based on Hale’s novel.  Produced by Stephenie Meyer, Gina Mingacci and Meghan Hibbett and executive produced by
Dan Levinson and Robert Fernandez. 

Synopsis:

Jane Hayes’s (Keri Russell) adoration of all things Jane Austen is complicating her love life.  Determined to be the heroine of her own story, Jane spends her life savings on a trip to Austenland, an eccentric resort where guests experience complete immersion in the Regency era.  Armed with her bonnet, corset and needlepoint, Jane strives to avoid spinsterhood … but has a difficult time determining where fantasy ends and real life—and maybe even love—begins.  Jennifer Coolidge (Legally Blonde) and Jane Seymour (Wedding Crashers) also star in this charming romantic comedy. 

Blu-ray & DVD Special Features include:

·         Commentary with Jerusha Hess and Stephenie Meyer

·         Q&A with the Cast of Austenland – Hear from Russell, Coolidge, Seymour, McKenzie, King, Field, Whittle & Callis about their experiences making the film.

AUSTENLAND’s run time is about 97 minutes. It is rated PG-13 for some suggestive content and innuendo. 

Visit Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on the Web at www.SonyPictures.com.

Golden Globe(s)® is the registered trademark and service mark of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

“Academy Award®” is the registered trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; a global channel network; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 159 countries. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com/

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