Boots Riley is a master filmmaker who takes quirky ideas and turns them into something of pure imagination. His set-ups may look goofy, but he has the ability to set up his characters’ egos to deliver deeper meaning. After being fascinated by Sorry to Bother You, I Love Boosters places an emphasis on a risky subject matter—shoplifting. In the film, the moving parts include jealousy and surrealism. At first, the context might not appear serious enough, but in the end is mind-blowing in the way it explodes with cinematic colors. 

The film takes place in the San Franciso Bay area. The term “boosters” means shoplifters. The ladies in this boat are Corvette (Keke Palmer), Sade (Naomie Ackie), and Mariah (Taylor Paige). They have a mission to steal because they want to get back at a high-end executive. This lady in power is Christie Smith (Demi Moore). There are lots of crazy angles in a world of fashion and favoritism that comes crashing together. Corvette is the main lady of focus in terms of her choices. The film focuses on her and the man on her mind, Pinky Ring Guy, played by LaKeith Stanfield. The hurdles to be jumped to achieve power feel like a fantasy of fanciful vindictiveness.

The film highlights the frustrations in the world of fashion and reminds viewers constantly that its characters are in a world of hate. For example, they must deal with an egotistical manager named Grayson (Will Poulter), who always blames conflicts on his staff. However, he is not the worst. Christie is. The gals will stop at nothing to take her down. The writing includes various imaginative revenge scenarios, but the farther the girls pursue payback, the harder it gets. Riley has a strong attitude of never giving up even if it leads to surprising outcomes. At one point, a van drives up and down escalators and into storefronts at the mall. The writing about the fashion scene is filled with amusing excitement and amazingly colorful flare ups.

There is a moment in the film when someone mentions they know the three Fs, i.e., fashion, forward, filanthropy. (Yes, they spell the final word with an f, not a ph!). The desire for fashionin the industry is examined from different angles as the characters pursue their missions. Somehow Riley makes it work because his characters have a diversity of personalities—no one goes down without a fight or by sacrificing their popularity in I Love Boosters.

This film is an invigorating ride where reality is out of this world. It’s a dazzling display of wishes coming true in weird yetfulfilling ways. Stanfield, Palmers and Moore are a cast and ensemble with a purpose. Stanfield has a laid-back and charming attitude. Palmer has bad intentions but also rocks with common alternatives. Finally, Moore. She is the nerd who is never wrong. Despite her glamourous power, her character is written to never lose. Despite all the revenge she faces, she remains the classic queen of evil. Audiences will adore these characters that Riley has used his innovative wonders to create in I Love Boosters. Four out of four stars.