The Best and Worst of Melissa McCarthy

The "Best and Worst" series profiles the best and worst work of an actor starring in one of the week's new theatrical releases. This week I take a look at the filmography of "The Boss" star Melissa McCarthy.

Films starring Melissa McCarthy that I've seen:
Bridesmaids
This is 40
Identity Thief
The Hangover Part III
The Heat
Tammy
St. Vincent
Spy 

Best Performance: Spy (2015)
McCarthy gets a lot of heat from her detractors for playing characters that are almost exclusively loud and over-the top vulgar. In Spy, McCarthy balances out that shtick with a sensitivity and likability that proves she's more than a one-trick pony.    

Worst Performance: Identity Thief (2013)
McCarthy's tendency to play these insane, over-the top characters has never bothered me. To be completely honest, the relentless energy and obscene wit she displays in these parts is large part of why I think she's one of the best comedic actresses on the planet right now. The one time where this well-oiled routine backfired was in the god awful Identity Thief. While the weak material she was given put her in a rough spot, it doesn't excuse how incredibly obnoxious and off-putting McCarthy was every time she appeared on screen.

Best Film: Bridesmaids (2011)
Bridesmaids was the first comedy of this decade to become a bona fide cultural phenomenon. It made McCarthy and Rebel Wilson breakout stars, it proved Kristen Wiig had the chops to transition from Saturday Night Live to the big screen and perhaps most importantly, it confirmed that both members of Wilson Phillips were still breathing. The film's popularity and role in launching the careers of several current comedy juggernauts is undeniable, but above all, this movie serves as really hilarious and insightful look at how women view romantic relationships and friendships as they approach middle age.   

Worst Film: Identity Thief (2013)
Writer Craig Mazin and director Seth Gordon should be punished for their sins against the world of comedy. They somehow managed to waste the collective talents of McCarthy, Jason Bateman, Amanda Peet and Jon Faverau on a film filled with lazy humor, an idiotic premise and a group of  characters that you wouldn't mind see fall down a mine shaft at any given moment. Identity Thief is the weakest comedy I've seen in the past five years and I'd be surprised if anything that's not from the dreaded direct-to-video circuit will be able to top it anytime soon.

Thank you for reading this week's installment of "The Best and Worst of". Next week, I'll take a look at the best and worst work of "The Jungle Book" star Bill Murray.