In laugh out loud comedy Morning Glory, Rachel McAdams could charm anyone as the new executive producer of the sinking infotainment show Daybreak.
Spot on acting and a romantic twist help create this winning film directed by Roger Michell (Notting Hill). Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada) contributes excellent dialogue and screenplay.
Becky Fuller’s new assignment – won with moxie after she is laid off from a high paying gig in suburban New Jersey – is to save the struggling show.
Becky fires a sexist co-anchor and woos a replacement, the “third worst person in the world,” legendary newsman Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford). With his guttural growl, intense Ford is very watchable as a brooding, moody egomaniac who dwells on his glory days as a “real” newsman.
Only the threat of losing his $6 million a year contract forces Pomeroy to cover “fluff” with the morning team. Smart and ambitious, Becky mugs Pomeroy when genuine admiration for her journalism idol doesn’t sway him.
In one of his best lines, Pomeroy declares: “I've won eight Peabodys, a Pulitzer and 16 Emmys. I was shot through the forearm in Bosnia. Pulled Colin Powell from a burning jeep. I laid a cool washcloth on Mother Teresa's forehead during a cholera epidemic.”
The night before Pomeroy’s debut, Becky tracks him down at 21 Club’s barroom with his buddies (Chris Matthews, Morley Safer and Bob Schieffer lend cameo appearances).
Perky, frenetic Becky brings fresh, original charm to TV’s behind-the-scenes dirt. McAdams achieves a cross between Holly Hunter in Broadcast News and Mary Tyler Moore of station WJM in Minneapolis.
Diane Keaton nails it as a former Miss Arizona and Daybreak co-host who seethes bitterness and emotes charm in two heartbeats. Colleen Peck is not to be outdone. She’s a veteran of an on-air pap smear and a face-first encounter with a spritzing skunk.
There’s no love lost between Colleen and Mike, who can’t even agree on who delivers the show’s final “good-bye.” Mike turns up his nose at almost every segment. When resentment erupts in their on-air banter, ratings begin to climb.
Extreme stunts are featured. Steve Park plays Channel 9’s ambitious weatherman who rides roller coasters and more.
Every character wants to be loved. Big-hearted Becky realizes that her oddball coworkers have become her family.
The producer sacrifices her life for the success of the show. A perky mover and shaker, she rises at 1:30 each morning to brainstorm. Becky will do anything to smooth the way. It’s a miracle that Adam (Patrick Wilson), handsome Ivy League producer of the network’s leisurely magazine segment, stays with her.
Jeff Goldblum plays an incurable pessimist and unsupportive network executive who almost succeeds in breaking Becky’s optimistic, can-do spirit.
When The Today Show woos Becky with big bucks, the Daybreak team realizes her true value.
“We won” the war between news and infotainment, Becky declares. Pomeroy scowls.
If you like Morning Glory, you might enjoy: Just Go With It; Date Night; Barney’s Version.
Morning Glory 2010 / PG-13 / 1 hour, 42 min
Cast: Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, Patrick Wilson, Jeff Goldblum, John Pankow, Steve Park
Director: Roger Michell
Genre: Comedy, Romantic Comedy
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