'MORNING GLORY': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)
Rachel McAdams shines in this surprisingly clever and uplifting news comedy, reminiscent of similar films from decades ago. It's directed by Roger Michell (who also directed the exceptional 'CHANGING LANES' and 'NOTTING HILL') and written by Aline Brosh McKenna (who's written a handful of similar themed rom-coms including 'THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA', 'LAWS OF ATTRACTION' and '27 DRESSES'). It's produced by J.J. Abrams and features a top notch supporting cast including Diane Keaton, Jeff Goldblum and Patrick Wilson. It's co-star Harrison Ford that really steals the show though, giving one of his best performances in years.
McAdams stars as a work obsessed TV show producer named Becky who's so obsessed with her job that she's relationship challenged and awkward around men (of course not convincingly so but McAdams does a more than adequate job trying to pull it off). As the film opens she's let go from her current job and hired on to the struggling morning news show 'Daybreak'. The show is long past it's prime and it's ratings are barely able to keep it on the air. On her first day Becky fires the sexist co-host Paul McVee (Ty Burrell, of TV's 'MODERN FAMILY') and then is faced with the dilemma of replacing him with no budget. She soon discovers that legendary veteran news anchor Mike Pomeroy (Ford), who she idolized as a kid, is still under contract with the station for two years. So she forces the aged superstar, who thinks the show is beneath him and his standards, into taking the job. He of course clashes with his veteran co-host (Keaton) and everyone else on the show. Becky fights hard to make it work though and save the show from it's dismal ratings while trying to juggle a new-found relationship.
The film is somewhat clichéd and predictable fluff but it's pumped with a lot of lovable energy from it's A list cast. I've been a fan of McAdams for several years now and this might be one of her best performances yet. She brings a believable likability to the role that the usual bigger stars that are typically cast in a movie like this (Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock, etc.) never could. Her energy and enthusiastic performance really make the movie and the only thing that possibly outdoes her is Harrison Ford. He hasn't been this funny and likable in several years and he and McAdams have great chemistry together. The rest of the cast is adequate but those two really make the film work. There's some clever writing and the directing is fitting (although the film feels a little rushed towards the end). As far as this type of material goes it's definitely not a bad little film.
Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVckRO-OANw
Rachel McAdams shines in this surprisingly clever and uplifting news comedy, reminiscent of similar films from decades ago. It's directed by Roger Michell (who also directed the exceptional 'CHANGING LANES' and 'NOTTING HILL') and written by Aline Brosh McKenna (who's written a handful of similar themed rom-coms including 'THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA', 'LAWS OF ATTRACTION' and '27 DRESSES'). It's produced by J.J. Abrams and features a top notch supporting cast including Diane Keaton, Jeff Goldblum and Patrick Wilson. It's co-star Harrison Ford that really steals the show though, giving one of his best performances in years.
McAdams stars as a work obsessed TV show producer named Becky who's so obsessed with her job that she's relationship challenged and awkward around men (of course not convincingly so but McAdams does a more than adequate job trying to pull it off). As the film opens she's let go from her current job and hired on to the struggling morning news show 'Daybreak'. The show is long past it's prime and it's ratings are barely able to keep it on the air. On her first day Becky fires the sexist co-host Paul McVee (Ty Burrell, of TV's 'MODERN FAMILY') and then is faced with the dilemma of replacing him with no budget. She soon discovers that legendary veteran news anchor Mike Pomeroy (Ford), who she idolized as a kid, is still under contract with the station for two years. So she forces the aged superstar, who thinks the show is beneath him and his standards, into taking the job. He of course clashes with his veteran co-host (Keaton) and everyone else on the show. Becky fights hard to make it work though and save the show from it's dismal ratings while trying to juggle a new-found relationship.
The film is somewhat clichéd and predictable fluff but it's pumped with a lot of lovable energy from it's A list cast. I've been a fan of McAdams for several years now and this might be one of her best performances yet. She brings a believable likability to the role that the usual bigger stars that are typically cast in a movie like this (Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock, etc.) never could. Her energy and enthusiastic performance really make the movie and the only thing that possibly outdoes her is Harrison Ford. He hasn't been this funny and likable in several years and he and McAdams have great chemistry together. The rest of the cast is adequate but those two really make the film work. There's some clever writing and the directing is fitting (although the film feels a little rushed towards the end). As far as this type of material goes it's definitely not a bad little film.
Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVckRO-OANw