From the director of Notting Hill comes Morning Glory, a new adult themed comedy starring Rachel McAdams (The Notebook), Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton. Films like Morning Glory and last year’s It’s Complicated are targeting an audience that tends to be left out at the theatre, actual adults over 30 years of age. Sure a fart joke can be amusing, but the over 30 crowd is finally getting some movies that reflect real life that isn’t just about having sex in your city.
Rachel McAdams plays Becky Fuller, a young television producer who’s let go from her morning show in New Jersey. Her dream job of producing Good Morning America is far from reachable, but Becky is offered the job producing Day Break, New York’s fourth ranked morning news/entertainment show. Her boss (Jeff Goldblum) pretty much hands her the keys to a sinking boat and tells her to right the ship.
After meeting her staff and talent including on air talent Colleen Peck (Diane Keaton), Becky fires Colleen’s co-star and has no money to find a replacement. After an encounter with legendary newsman Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford) in an elevator, Becky finds a loophole which would force Mike to co-anchor the show or have his current contract voided and cost him millions of dollars.
Harrison Ford plays Mike Pomeroy to a tee. He shines as a grizzled, better than you, Pulitzer winning newsman and its a role very unexpected from Han Solo. And the chemistry between Ford and Keaton is flawless and should be expected from two talented people still tops at their game.
Mike and Becky butt heads over what he is supposed to do and what he’s willing to do. He wants news, news, news and she wants entertainment and witty banter with Colleen. After finding out from her boss that she has 6 weeks to get ratings up or the show is cancelled, Becky does whatever she can to get people to watch her show.
Instead of just putting her weatherman outside the roller coaster, she puts him on the roller coaster with a camera. When it becomes a YouTube hit, she makes him skydive all while Mike still won’t budge on his style.
With inside information on how to handle Mike, from Adam Bennett (Watchmen‘s Patrick Wilson), Becky finally makes some dents in Mike’s armor. Mike finally decides to give in, in his own way, and scores a major victory for Day Break with breaking news from a governor’s scandal.
You know where the movie will go by the end, but even with predictability, the film is entertaining enough throughout. Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton are very believable as news people. And even the love story between Rachel McAdams and Patrick Wilson is comical. Some great stuff from the non-major stars of the film especially the weatherman and Hollywood reporter.
A very good adult comedy that should do well. Will it be number 1 multiple weeks in a row? No, but this movie’s not designed for that. Its a good movie to see with the guy you just met on Eharmony now that your divorce is final.
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Ken Murray also reviews for The Boston Movie Examiner, check out his reviews here.
