The new Rachel McAdams flick “Morning Glory” is a nice fluff film to start the holiday movie season. It is light-hearted and it will put you in the perfect mood for all of those spirited seasonal tasks, such as decorating holiday cookies and decorating the house.
But don’t expect anything too groundbreak¬ing; “Morning Glory” is nothing like the classic “Broadcast News” cinema prodigy. But it does go right in line with the holiday season’s low ex¬pectations for innovative films.
However, with a dynamite cast, a skilled di¬rector and a talented writer, it’s almost difficult not to get your hopes up.
Writer and producer Aline Brosh McKenna is best known for her delightful comedy “The Devil Wears Prada,” starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway. “Morning Glory” might not reflect the same charming humor “The Devil Wears Prada” managed, but the same cannot be said for the plot line. The movie starts off as “Prada’s” clone.
Rachel McAdams plays the energetic, deter¬mined workaholic Becky Fuller. Fuller is stuck in a dead-end job at a morning TV show in New Jersey. Fuller is exactly the kind of person who can maintain perkiness and her uncanny ability to micromanage at 3 a.m.
McAdams made her unforgettable breakout into the Hollywood industry with “Mean Girls.” But it was her acting talent, perseverance and lovability that pulled her out of the dumb blond typecast and transformed her into more than a one-time acting wonder.
Her bubbly role in “Morning Glory” will make audiences happy that her role as queen bee Regina George was not the end of her– hopefully long and successful–career.
Fuller might as well be Hathaway’s “Prada” twin, right down to the scruffy bangs. She heads off for a new job in the big, bad city of New York. She interviews with her potential boss Jerry Barnes who informs her that his morning show “Daybreak” is going down the toilet–and fast–if it already hasn’t made it to the sewer. Though she is under-qualified, she convinces Barnes that she’ll do whatever she has to in or¬der to give “Daybreak” a complete makeover.
Barnes is played by star Jeff Goldblum, who made a name for himself with ’90’s clas¬sics “Jurassic Park” and “Independence Day.” Unfortunately his part as Barnes is not much of a comeback; the role is pretty miniscule and un¬derwritten. But, overall, it is nice to see him back on the big screen.
Diane Keaton plays Colleen Peck, “Daybreak’s” annoyingly high-maintenance and ego¬tistical anchor. But her spirited character is an amusing addition to the film.
Harrison Ford plays broadcast veteran Mike Pomeroy who was once a respected, worldly, iconic journalist who has since become a wash-up. While his grumpiness and pretentiousness is a bit over the top at times, Ford was the perfect match for Pomeroy.
The movie starts off a little slow, but picks up the pace after some necessary character de¬velopment. After you’ve been introduced to the “Daybreak” team, you are carried away in a whirlwind of hilarity for a good chunk of the film.
With clever characters and a decent script, “Morning Glory” makes it easy to be swept up in. Overall it’s pleasant and charming; director Roger Michell accomplished exactly what he set out to make: an easy, fun film.
Once you’re home, it is the perfect film to have your mom treat you to. She’ll enjoy how cheerful and bright the film is and you won’t have to sit through any awkward nudity.
With the perfect cast, this movie easily could have been one of those rare movies that exceeds expectations and goes on to be a surprisingly entertaining hit. But, while it is predictable–no surprise there, literally–it does seem to have a little flair that sets it apart from your typical ro¬mantic comedy.
Photo: Paramount Pictures
