'Morning Glory' (dir: Roger Mitchell, 2010/2011), Cert: 12A
‘Notting Hill’ director Roger Mitchell is back just as the award season fire starts burning. However, his latest, ‘Morning Glory’ is certainly not an Academy bother; it’s a light-hearted Comedy that should cushion some of the blows from the bigger Oscar gobblers. The film stars the wonderful Rachel McAdams alongside the brilliant Diane Keaton and Harrison Ford.
Becky Fuller (McAdams) is a young and ambition TV executive working for a morning news company. After a surprise sacking, she is hired to work for ‘Daybreak’; a failing news show that needs to rapidly increase its viewing figures. However, Becky may have bitten off more than she can chew when she’s forced to deal with the show’s quarrying co-hosts Colleen Peck (Keaton) and Mike Pomeroy (Ford). In order to save the show from certain cancellation, Becky must hatch a plan to make the show far more exciting and interesting, and she’ll stop at nothing to succeed.
‘Morning Glory’ is another film recently to have been failed by its advertising. The posters and trailers make it look like some average Romantic Comedy revolving around a bizarre love-triangle, when in actual fact; this film seems clueless in knowing its genre. For the most part, this is a comedy but there are frequent scenes of drama that seem to dwell for fairly lengthy periods; which I think is a great thing. This movie feels like it doesn’t want to be another run-of-the-mill Hollywood love-fest, it snubs the romance and replaces it with sharp and witty dialogue, it adds crass and rude comments and frequent belly laughs rather than spending hours drooling over hunks and heart-throbs. ‘Morning Glory’ seems like a fresh approach to modern Comedy and for me; this can only be a good thing.
The film piles up the laughs in every which way; the constant bickering between Colleen and Mike sparks cackles from the audience and Becky’s manic lifestyle causes the viewer to giggle and smile throughout. It’s a very loving piece that uses the best recipe for American comedy.
The performances are great, especially from McAdams; she has wonderful comic timing and a great delivery which makes her a grand screen presence and a pleasure to watch. Becky is a zany and frequently hilarious character whose passion is enchanting and her energy is relentless. Keaton and Ford are brilliant too, they haven’t let their age get in the way of their talents and they certainly turn up the heat here.
As I said earlier, this film isn’t going to cause any kind of storm whilst all the award hype is spiralling, but for those who spare the time to go and see it will have a terrific 107 minutes of entertainment and will leave the cinema with a huge smile across their face.
‘Morning Glory’ is a refreshing contemporary Comedy that has its heart in the right place. It’s punchy dialogue, grand performances and quirky soundtrack is enough to please all viewers.
A great film that shouldn’t be allowed to fall short because of award season. Surely Diane Keaton rapping with 50 Cent is enough to make you want to see it?
By Chris Haydon
This article was great about "Morning Glory" It really gave me the idea of what this movie is all about. My co-workers at DISH have told me that it is a confusing movie but it's good. So of course I don't know what to make of the movie. I have been reading review after review and this one seems to be something like what my co-workers where saying. Looks like I'm just going to have to order it in HD on PPV tonight. I love movies in HD!
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