I am a boss.

Yeah, I keep quiet about it. And, you know, I have a retired lifestyle and have pretty much mellowed the fuck out, but I do own and run numerous companies, and I am the boss of them. I might be the CEO, the Executive Director, the Manager, the Owner… but first and foremost, I am the BOSS.

And yet, being a boss is not like what you would think it is.

And it is neither of the extremes that you might think it is from television, movies, or your personal experiences with the owners of companies elsewhere. It is something else entirely and at a complete an unique level as well. And since I am a foreigner as a Boss in China, that places the “awe level” quite high.

So…

Like my posts on other subjects…

• Like what [1] the actual situation is about extraterrestrials,
• And [2] what the actual situation is about prostitutes,
• And [3] what the actual situation is about China,
• And [4] the actual situation is about the Trade War… etc. etc.

This post is going to be what the actual situation is about being “A Boss”. What it is like, and how one qualities and what it is all about.

I’m gonna tell you all straight.

I’ll probably make a shit load of enemies in the process.

Keep in mind that this is true for a very select group of people. For less than 1% of American CEO’s are actually a “real Boss”. The rest are more or less, cogs in a big, vast, machine.

• Supervisor
• Manager
• Team Leader
• Vice something or other
• C level someone

Etc. Etc. Etc.

The movie “The Freshman”

In this post I use images from the movie “The Freshman”. Which is an old 1980’s / 1990 comedy movie. And while it is a comedy, and it is all fun and games, I do want to use the situation(s) as depicted within the movie to make some points.

Charming points

A comedy no one can refuse ... ElMaruecan82
26 June 2012

How many actors could have parodied their most classic roles without falling into caricature? Think about it: while it takes a certain talent to make a performance that elevates a character to a legendary status, overplaying enough to make it comical but not over-the-top is the ultimate proof of acting genius. And only Marlon Brando could have got away with playing his most iconic character, the Godfather, and make it so damn believable. And it's this very seriousness in his performance that makes "The Freshman" so delightful and naturally, hilarious.

Although not revolutionary, what makes "The Freshman" such a classic on its own is that it accomplishes a real miracle by resuscitating Vito Corleone, his name is Carmine Sabatini but the movie can't fool us: the guy IS Vito Corleone. As explained in the film, Sabatini's the one who inspired Vito's character, in other words, "The Freshman" is so confident over its comical premise, and rightfully so, that it doesn't even hesitate to insert several references to "The Godfather". And these are not just gratuitous 'Godfather' references thrown away for the sake of it, it's important to know that it's not a parallel world where the movie isn't supposed to exist. 

On the contrary, not only it does, but whoever sees Carmine Sabatini has the most natural reaction by immediately thinking of Vito Corleone. The movie, in a way, asks the question, how any of us would react in front of a movie character. How would I if I met my favorite character? I guess, probably like Clark Kellog, Matthew Broderick as a film college student, the titular "Freshman".

And the deserved praises on Brando's performance shouldn't diminish Broderick's talent at all. With his awkward youngish look, Broderick is the perfect straight-man for a comical duo with Brando. Indeed, the comedic power of "The Freshman" relies on the extraordinary ability of Brando to play his character seriously in a non-serious film. Consequently, we don't laugh at Brando because he's too believable (we'd never treat him so disrespectfully), but at Broderick's disbelief. 

There's one part where Carmine offers a job to Clark, and gives him the hand of friendship as a solemn promise that no harm would happen to him. 'How can I say no?' replies Clark, to which Carmine dryly retorts 'that's not a yes, I want to hear yes', he takes a walnut and break it with his own hand, making a threatening sound. This improvisation, proving that Brando didn't lose his acting instinct and trademark use of props in movie scenes, provoked an even more genuine reaction from Broderick who didn't know the walnut had already been broken before the shooting.

Clark had no other choice than to say yes, after all, isn't Vito Corleone, the man who makes offers we can't refuse? The film's funniest moments are driven by Sabantini's aura and Clark's incapability to control the situation or to say 'no'. The script finds the perfect tone to show a guy screwed but in a way that inspires our sympathy without feeling antipathy toward Sabatini. And another triumph on the writing department is the way everything seems believable despite all the zany material it employs. 

Whether it's a picture of Mussolini in an Italian Social club, an espresso that takes three spoons of sugar, the Mona Lisa painting in Carmine's house, and a weird traffic involving a Komodo dragon, I wonder why I wanted to believe that the first time I saw it. Maybe I was just a 10-year old kid who just laughed at the gags without looking too much deeper into it. 

The irony is that after watching 'The Godfather' so many times, I believed in Sabatini even more.

That's not to say that it takes to be a 'Godfather' fan to enjoy the film, but it sure helps and not just for laughs. There is a heart in this film, and there is something very nostalgic, almost poignant to see Sabatini interacting with Clark. Sabatini is so sweet you'd forget he's a dangerous person. 

Brando finds the perfect note because he makes Sabatini lovable, while Vito was feared and respected, the way he treats Clark like the son he never had, his unexpected outburst of joy or sadness, his tender kisses or slaps in the face are all expression of a sincere love. 

Yes, we laugh when he never remembers Clark's hometown ("You're from Connecticut" he joyfully says as if it meant something), when he calls him "Kent" instead of "Clark", or casually tells him that he'll marry his beautiful daughter Tina (Penelop Ann Mirren), but we still take him seriously because we never see when he's acting and when he's serious. And it doesn't really matter since in both cases, it's funny.

But I make the film sound like the 'Brando' show, while it features a great cast of supporting characters, notably Bruno Kirby as Vic the streetwise nephew who emphasizes every word said by his Carmine. Maximilan Schells steals the show as a demented German chef. You would probably notice Frank Whaley, the 'what?' man from "Pulp Fiction" as Clark's slick roommate. The film makes many references to "The Godfather" series, an apparent favorite of Clark's teacher, the goofy monomaniacal Pr. Fleeber (Paul Benedict). Interestingly, the film was released the same year than the last opus of the trilogy, but I see it more as a coincidence, since the film is much more a reminder of how iconic the first two were.

"The Freshman" is still a delightful comedy, cleverly written, with the perfect dosage of verbal humor and slapstick, the journey featuring the Komodo dragon would be seen as an oddity considering the film's context, but it totally makes sense at the end. Everything brilliantly tie up at the end, even the weird affection between Sabatini and Kellon, the little spice that gives this film, its unique flavor ... with basil cream sauce.

And another review…

Further Viewings rmax304823
11 June 2004

What a wacky plot. Broderick is hired to convey illegally imported endangered species by Brando, playing Carmine ("Jimmy the Toucan") Sabatini, in order to provide million-dollar-a-plate dinners for a bunch of international degenerates who revel in eating forbidden fruit, or in this instance lizards. It's the kind of plot you dream up while sitting around all night half-gassed with a couple of buddies who have a good sense of the absurd.

Broderick is Clark Kellog (whom Sabatini calls "Kent"), a naif just in from Vermont to attend film school at NYU. Sabatini is the "importer" he works for and a ringer for "The Godfather." (The original was almost a self parody.) Those are the principal roles and Broderick handles the role of straight man, being sucked into a Mafia-like existence, competently. Brando is unforgettable. He tried one or two comedies before and they tanked, but he's a winner here, cracking walnuts in his fist, weeping with emotion as he embraces his new employee.

But it's not just the relationship between Clark and Sabatini that's amusing. It's also just about everything in between, including what we see of the film school, where the professor assigns seven hundred dollars worth of his own books as required reading, and is working on a paper that will combine -- what was it? -- Plato, Marx, and semiotics in a deconstruction of "The Godfather", or something equally insane? Maximilian Schell is a much under-rated or unnoticed actor. 

He consistently turns in riveting performances but has never achieved major stardom. It doesn't matter whether it's drama ("Judgment at Nurenberg"), comedy thrillers ("Topkapi"), or, as in this case, comedy. He never fails to bring something extra to the role. 

His first entrance here knocks the whole situation askew. Clark has enlisted a fellow student to help him carry this giant lizard (Varanus komodoensis -- they pronounce the specific name wrong) and a bearded sunglassed Schell ambles into the scene during the delivery, fondling a ferret, looks up with a big smile, and says, "Sabatini said one boy.... Here are two!" Clark runs through his explanation while Schell listens politely before replying, "Sabatini said one boy.... Here are two!" He says it a third time before ambling off. That's ALL he says.

I've seen this about three times since I first commented on it and, although this is anything but a "deep" movie, I've continually found things, mostly jokes, that I'd missed earlier. I must give a few examples.

Never before had I noticed some particular details in the scene in which Brando cracks the walnuts. I had just seen him cracking walnuts. More recently I've noticed that in this scene Brando, apparently dead serious, tells Broderick that he wants him to accept the job offer. "I don't want to hear 'no', I want to hear 'yes.'" And that, immediately after these lines, while Broderick is pondering an answer, Brando picks up TWO walnuts, rolls them in his palm, and slowly but noisily CRACKS them.

And another of the many allusions to "The Godfather" finally registered on my interpretive apparatus. As the end credits begin to roll, Broderick and Brando are taking the monitor for a walk through the cornfields in long shot. And we can hear Brando's voice offering Broderick some career assistance. "Y'know, Clark, when you get out to Hollywood, maybe I can help you." "No, please." "It wouldn't take much. Just a few phone calls." "NO!" "I could kick open a few doors for you." The penny finally dropped and I could see Brando arranging to have a lopped-off horse head planted in some producer's bed.

Just a few other points. One is that the score owes something to "The Stunt Man." Another is that Brando seems so perfectly comfortable in this self parody. He seems to be genuinely enjoying himself. His body language is exquisite. He lolls around in his chair, sticks his tongue in his cheek (literally), waves his hands, shrugs, and does everything else flawlessly. Sometimes his whiskery voice gets away from the Don Corleone model. I don't think Vito Corleone would be so indignant when talking about Polaroid and IBM on the phone. "I told you before, Charlie, I don't LIKE it when they go DOWN. Listen. I had another stock broker once and he only called me with bad news. It got very UNPLEASANT, Charlie, y'unnerstand me?"

And anyone who thinks of the later Brando as a bloated hypocrite who has lost whatever acting chops he once had should take another look at the scene in which he visits Broderick in the college dorm room. Broderick, at Brando's own request, recites a poem written by his father, a rather elliptical one, and Brando's character picks it up immediately -- "Ah, the cat." And the discussion about Curious George. And Brando's momentary melancholy as he looks around the college dorm, an environment as alien to him as the planet Neptune, shrugs and comments, "Well, I didn't miss nuthin'." It isn't funny. It's touching.

I thought this movie was very funny and quite original, considering the stale material it was sending up, and I still think so. Two years' worth of additional viewings hasn't changed things. You must see it, if only to hear Bert Parks sing "I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more."

I am sure that most people reading this will have seen the movie, so we can move on. But if you haven’t you might want to rent it, buy it, or torrent it.

Managers vs Bosses

In the United States, we have what is called “bosses”, but you know, they really aren’t bosses. They are just managers. Manages with a “small m”. They perform a role, but are still, no matter what, employees. And you have “technical experts” and while they might have all kinds of certifications, and diplomas and documentation to their name, they too are only employees.

And yes, you have those “higher ups”. Those “Big Bosses” that have paneled offices, credenzas, and maybe their very own secretary or two. But then again, they are just still “manager employees”.

Rule number one;

#1 Rule; Only the owner of a company can be a Boss.

Everyone else is just a manager.

What is a Boss?

A boss is a person that owns, operates, runs, manages and controls a company.

When they make a statement, a policy, or a rule it is firm and never questioned. The decision has been made and it is final.

As such there are rules that they follow. But these rules of behavior are different than that for the rest of the company. They have a much greater degree of flexibility and latitude in what they can do and how they can behave.

• Workers and staff follow one set of rules.
• The boss follows a different set of rules.

They might have a business “empire” that spans the world and has hundreds of people, or they might have a small operation that only has three key people, and others that come and go as needed. Size does not matter. What matters is [1] attitude, [2] respect and [3] control that one has over their operations.

What does NOT matter is [1] how much money the company makes, [2] how much money the boss makes, or [3] what the rest of the world thinks about the boss or his company.

Respect

This is interesting and cultural. In China, far more respect and deference is given to the boss and managers than anything ever seen in the United States. To put this into perspective, let’s look at my handy dandy chart below…

Boss tales

Like me. I am a small-time boss.

You might call me a “mini-boss”, or a “boss” with a under-case “b”.

My operations are small, up front, in person, and direct.

It’s the nature of my life.

Long term Metallicman readers will recognize that I am talking about. You do not need a lot of fame, fortune, big fancy expensive cars, and multi-million dollar houses to live the life of your dreams. Truthfully guys, if I told you half about what my life is actually like, you all would think that I am just full of shit.

I have structured my life this way, and through the power of [1] affirmation campaigns, [2] experience, [3] thoughts, [4] relationships and friendships, and [5] opportunity, I am living a lifestyle that fits me personally.

There are many such people in the world.

• The owner of a small garage that fixes and repairs cars.
• The owner of a small ethnic operation that provides legal help, financial help, and other services to the local ethnic people in an area.
• The owner of a small machine shop.
• The owner of a local laundrymat.

And while the “news”, television and Hollywood just loves to talk about the trillions and billions of dollars that the handful of ultra-super-dooper-crazily-wealthy have, the vast bulk of real bosses (in the world) are really just “small time” operations.

Most “real” bosses, though not everyone, got to where they are now through hard blister-on-the-hands mind-dullingly boring work. It’s just that we kept up at it, time after time after time, after time. Sooner or later, eventually something happens, and some money starts to roll in, and believe you me, it’s not really a lot at first.

And it is the journey to that point…

…the trials, the pains, the anguish, the failures, and all the heartbreak…

…creates the boss that you see standing in front of you.

And for me…

Well…

It has been a seemingly endless string of companies that worked me to the bone, and discarded me just as abruptly. Heartless, painful and relentless. It fucking sucked, and so I, out of necessity, had to create my very own company. (Companies, actually.)

Not to mention all the associated hassles with my MAJestic retirement and all that load of fucking crap.

What it takes

You know, talking about “one day” being a Boss is not the same as being one. And being a manager in a company working for someone else isn’t being a boss either. having an impressive title, or a business card doesn’t make you a boss. Nor does having a corner office, a potted plant, or a company cell phone.

A Boss does things his own way.

#2 Rule; A Boss does things HIS way.

To be a boss you control everything. If you want all the gals in the office to wear mini-skirts, you make it so, and if you want to smoke a cigar in your office, you do so. If you want to make a pot of chili and have it cook in the office all day, you do so, and if you want to come in early or late, you do you as you feel fit.

But it’s more than that.

It is the bosses that do their own thing…

…that strive anyways…

…that push and strive following their very own dream…

…while the rest of the world makes fun of them, attacks them, bemoans them, and pretty much abuses them…

It’s these bosses that end up making the world a better place to live.

Have you ever wondered why real Bosses don’t just copy other people, and other successful companies? Have you ever wondered why they want, and insist on doing things their ways? Have you ever wondered why?

Why…?

Some other Bosses

People naturally succeed at what they love doing. They just plug away at it day in, and night long. It is what makes them happy, and what makes them “tick” (like a clock). And such, when others see them, they cannot help but to find them a positive influence.

Other well known bosses include…

Rob Ross

When you are doing something you love, on your terms, and you are the boss, your life transcends perfection. Consider some other (well known) bosses to not only owned their own company and “brand”, but also enjoyed what they did to a point where their life became transcendental.

Bob Ross passed away in 1995 at the age of 52. We were lucky enough to have him all those years, but obviously we still miss him. Luckily he lives on, thanks to his painting legacy, all over the internet now. If you are ever looking for something soothing to watch in the evening, I highly recommend it! And if you are feeling particularly crafty give it a try! He's a great teacher and you will surprise yourself with how well you can do!

-10 Amazing Facts About Bob Ross That Prove He Was Exactly As Wonderful As You Thought He Was

Fred Rogers

Another Boss is the great Fred Rogers. He, like Bob Ross, owned his own production operation, and headed it and was the leading talent in it.

Here at Fred Rogers Productions, children come first, now and always. We connect with them through shows that are fun, relatable, and put their social and emotional learning front and center. That’s how we’ve earned the trust of parents, caregivers, and teachers.

-Fred Rogers Productions
Home

Jim Henson

Jim Henson (September 24, 1936 – May 16, 1990) was the creator of the Muppets, founder of The Jim Henson Company, and the performer behind many of his company’s most famous characters, including Kermit the Frog, Ernie, and Rowlf the Dog.

Ben & Jerry

Here’s an ultra-liberal duo who made a fortune doing what they love; making ice cream. And being (joint) Bosses, they defined their life, their business and their product line. And while many Americans might find them a bit flamboyant and outrageous, they are Bosses in the truest sense of the word. They own their business and run it as they see fit. And if you don’t like it, you all can take a hike!

With a $5 correspondence course in ice cream-making from Penn State and a $12,000 investment ($4,000 of it borrowed), Ben and Jerry open their first ice cream scoop shop in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont.

-About Us

There are many more examples…

Yah. There are many more examples, but most are not all that well known. Today, in the new government controlled narratives, fame and glory come attached to huge mega-corporations. Not to the smaller people like you (the reader, and myself). For the most part, most people don’t know we even exist.

Clark Kellogg: 
You promise?

Carmine Sabatini: 
Every word I say, by definition, is a promise.”

But, let me tell youse all…

As a Boss you define your image. You define what you do, and whether or not you want to be super rich and popular, or just very comfortable – doing what you love. (Which is what I chose.)

Can anyone become a Boss?

Well, can anyone become a Boss?

The answer is yes. Yes, anyone can become a Boss. You just need to keep on doing what you love and follow your own dream, what ever it is.

Then you need to create your business, and that provides an income. And you as the Boss control it.

Maybe it’s collecting trash, or fixing cars, and reselling them. Maybe it’s buying up old rental properties, fixing them up and selling them, or maybe it’s making your very own brand of chewing gun. It’s all up to you.

Maybe it’s making your own home-made pistols, or growing ginseng and curing it to make ginseng cigarettes. Maybe it’s something else. The point is, not HOW MUCH MONEY that you are going to make. The point is rather YOU DOING WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, and doing it YOUR WAY.

How do you know that you are working for a Boss?

The primary characteristic of a Boss is that they own their own company, and that they define their rules. They go and do things their way.

But how do you know, if your “Boss” is actually, and really a real Boss?

It’s all about loyalty.

Clark Kellogg: 
You had a choice - not to turn me in.

Dwight Armstrong: 
If it was your son, you would have...

Clark Kellogg: 
If it was my son, I would have treated him like he was my son. If he was my step son, I would have treated him like my son.

If you, and the people around you have a strong feeling of loyalty towards your Boss, then he is, INDEED a real, honest to goodness Boss. Because a Boss, no matter what his exterior never, NEVER makes people feel like things. Real Bosses make people feel like family.

As I have repeatedly stated, in America today, the entire culture and society…

• Loves things.
• Uses people.

Instead of…

• Loves people.
• Uses things.

Being a Boss is your great escape valve off this “rat race”. For as a Boss you can define your own life your way. And if people don’t like it, too bad.

Conclusion – The Movie

Some reflections on my life, and a great movie that many have just discounted as a silly comedy. They didn’t “get it” because their understanding about life was just too shallow.

I must have seen this film twenty times. It's one of my absolute favorites. It's gentle, heartfelt, funny, subtle and delicate. It's also, of course, an absolute delight for movie buffs. 

I know it's an absurd thing to say, but in many ways this is my favorite Brando performance: he's having such a good time sending himself up. He does it with such obvious relish but, at the same time, he IS Marlon Brando, the greatest actor Hollywood ever produced, and his character has all the regal gravitas that he brought to bear so effectively in "The Godfather". 

For those of us who thought that the only thing wrong with "The Godfather" was that there wasn't enough of the old man, this film is an unheard of feast.

Of course the story is daft, so what? I LOVE the scenes with the giant lizard - especially the end with Brando walking it and talking to it. There are so many great lines - I suggest that your reviewer who couldn't understand a word Brando said throughout the film cleans his ears out so he can hear gems such as: "So this is college. I didn't miss nothing'", and, "When you get to Hollywood I want you to gimme a call. I could kick a few doors open for ya." 

And Maximilion Schell: superb as the mad chef. "Carmine said one boy, here are two." There are so few gentle Hollywood comedies, with genuine poignancy, where the "feelgood" factor isn't tacked on, where's there's no sentimental slop, just humanity and warmth. 

Cherish this beautiful little film and marvel that it even ever came to be made.

adamblake77
25 June 2006

The movie “The Freshman” is a touching and warm movie about being a Boss, and is ultimately about loyalty and family.

How anyone can say this is not a great film except for Marlon Brando's performance is beyond me. His performance is great, of course. But the whole movie is phenomenal, not just Brando. It is perfect -- a 10-plus -- from start to finish. The entire cast stands out -- not just Brando. How a reviewer can focus on Brando's piece of business with walnuts is beyond me -- his business with the espresso is even more effective. But why zoom in on one relatively insignificant piece of Brando schtick when you have his whole performance to salivate over, and the equally outstanding performances of the entire cast. There is not one false note or faltering moment in this fabulously clever and eminently watchable film. Yes, Bert Parks does stand out in his cameo performance, as does B.D. Wong, as does Bruno Kirby, and on and on and on. This underrated comedy made the American Film Institute's list of 100 funniest comedies -- I could hardly believe it. Despite that, it is one of the best American movies, certainly best American comedies, ever made.

Gosh, this is one of the very best comedies ever made, folks. 
negevoli-44
20 June 2000

Conclusion – On Bosses

Being a Boss is about taking your life in your own two hands. It’s about ejecting out of the realities created by others, and the chains and shackles others have put around you. You can be anything you want to be, and being a Boss is the legal avenue that will allow you to get there. It is the vehicle that you drive in to finish this stage in your life.

Being a Boss gives you freedom, and a chance and opportunity to mold your life to fit your desires. Don’t squander it.

And it is my sincerest wish that everyone reading this post, somehow finds the character inside them to carve out their life and become just this sort of Boss. You all can do it. I believe in you.

Carmine Sabatini: 
I want you to take this opportunity. Totally legitimate work for $1,000 dollars a week. And I know that you're not gonna disappoint me.

Clark Kellogg: 
Well, I don't see how I could say no.

Carmine Sabatini: 
This is not a yes. I want to hear yes.”

Do you want more?

I have more articles and posts in my Movie Index here…

MOVIES

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