Film Reviews

Morning Glory

• Rating:
• Director: Roger Michell
• Starring: Diane Keaton
• Details: US/106mins (12A)

Offering pure escapism on a moderately clichéd, but still enjoyable level, this flick set within the world of morning broadcast television offers further proof of Rachel McAdams's immense likeability. Whether she's falling over, frantically trying to get to work on time, or uttering the first thing to come into her head, she has that underlining charisma that somehow makes her accessible to both men and women. Huge movie stars have built careers on a lot less, and McAdams proves here she's better than most of 'em at headlining an overtly commercial romantic comedy.
The struggling morning lifestyle show Daybreak (ouch, ring any bells ITV?) has two warring hosts, and is severely lacking in anything resembling quality. Luckily workaholic Becky (McAdams) has been cruelly let-go from her local producing gig, and is tasked by Jeff Goldblum to turn the show around. Managing to bag Harrison Ford's seasoned reporter as anew co-host, actually getting him to do his job properly proves even more difficult than she imagined. As if she wasn't busy enough, she has Patrick Wilson's news producer to contend with on the romantic front.
I'm genuinely shocked this film didn't do better at the American box-office when it was released a couple of months ago. Sure, it's predictable enough fodder and at times even the seasoned cast struggle to make some of the dialogue not feel prosaic, but for the most part Michell does a sterling job. The British director seems to know what the audience wants with this type of film, and delivers a package that should've had a broad appeal. At the very centre of that appeal is the relationship between Ford and McAdams and that's really what makes the film tick.
Ford seems to enjoy playing the cantankerous old man, and there is genuine chemistry between him and McAdams. The two play off each other well with a remarkably non-cheesy father/daughter relationship evolving organically. Diane Keaton has a lot less to do, but is feisty enough, while Wilson is charming enough in a slight part that feels tacked on so producers can market the film as a "romantic comedy."
While hardly an insightful look into the world of television production, it is an entertaining and fun affair that should see Rachel McAdams endear herself to even more cinema goers.

Review by Mike Sheridan