Morning Glory

Director: Roger Michell

Starring: Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Dianne Keaton, Patrick Wilson, Jeff Goldblum

Genre: comedy, romance, drama

Released: 6th January 2011

Morning Glory follows the hard working TV producer Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams), whom after getting fired, hastily takes a job offered by Jerry (Jeff Goldblum) at “Daybreak” a 4^th  placed morning show on that has seen better days. Taking action to boost the show she fires the current co host Paul McVee (over questionable personal fetishes) and hires grizzled news reporter Mike Pemeroy (Harrison Ford). What ensues leaves Becky struggling to deal with her own promising romance with fellow TV producer Adam Bennett (Patrick Wilson), trying to improve the show and trying to get Pemeroy to do more traditional morning show segments like cooking, and making an effort to get the weathered daybreak co host and former Miss Arizona Colleen Peck (Dianne Keaton) to get along with Pemeroy, resulting in an amusing battle to be the last to say ‘goodbye’ at the end of the show.

The acting in this comedic insight into morning talk shows hits the mark in bringing life and color into a movie that, without this particular cast, would not have attained the same level of hilarity. Through McAdams’ portrayal of Becky you can’t help but get swept up in her unwavering optimism, and her ‘let’s go get them’ speeches prompt co-workers to wonder if she’ll break into song on more than one occasion. McAdams has this sparkling quality and natural comedic ability which comes easily, and her performance is enhanced by those of her co stars, particularly Keaton and Ford who are in fine form as always. Keaton is a delight as the veteran co-host Colleen: she conveys with ease a character that you has been there and seen it all, and is not afraid to get out there and try new things (like, for example, sumo wrestling). However, the shining star in this film has to be Ford; his portrayal of the disagreeable self centered Pemeroy is certainly something to see. Ford’s portrayal of a news reader consumed with his former ‘hard news’ career and struggling to come to terms with the radically different format of a morning show makes for hilarious viewing. A special mention must go to Ty Burrell as the fired co-host Paul McVee: when Becky meets him for the first time he is just so seedy and cavalier, and when he approaches her to do some foot fetish photography, it makes you shudder and laugh a little at the same time.

In addition to the brilliant acting, the structure of the film flowed well. Though it contains many elements of the typical comedy/romance (boy meets girl; goofy girl makes a fool of herself numerous times; boy and girl have a fight etc), it doesn’t feel old and rehashed like so many films in this genre (The Ugly Truth for example). The story is smart, and genuinely humorous moments such as the montage of unfortunate weather man Ernie doing what can only be described as something out of “Who Dares Wins”, are side-splitting. Another aspect of the film that was refreshing was the music. The music score blended well with the tone of the movie and the soundtrack, including songs like “Waiting For my Real Life to Begin” by the legendary Colin Hay, are pleasant to the ears and complement their respective scenes nicely. 

If you’re looking for a comedy/drama/romance that is smart, witty, and with moments of side splitting laughter, Morning Glory is the movie for you. Though a little dull in the more drama intensive scenes, the acting and story is very entertaining and had me leaving the cinema thinking “I am definitely buying this on DVD!”

4 stars