Morning Glory

Morning Glory (2010)
Directed by Roger Michell
Length: 102 minutes
Rated PG-13 for some sexual content including dialogue, language, and brief drug references





Before you say it, allow me a chance to defend myself. Rushmore Movies did not sell out. My core movie principles and expectations were not compromised by seeing a "chick flick." In fact, even though it may appear to be a chick flick, Morning Glory is actually light on the romance and heavy on the laughs in this fun comedy. Instant classic? Not even close. But this is the kind of "fluffy" film you have to appreciate; I mean they can't all be Citizen Kane.

Rachel McAdams (Midnight in Paris, The Vow) plays Becky Fuller, the spunky, ambitious, yet klutzy producer for a local New Jersey morning show. After being fired, Becky finds herself a new job in the big city as the producer for New York's worst rated morning program. Charged with raising viewership, Becky begins her seemingly insurmountable climb towards redeeming the morning show, Daybreak. Initially, I felt McAdam's character was over-the-top until she finds her stride towards the middle. Though McAdams is touted as the protagonist of the film, I found the film to be a stronger group effort and more centrally focused on the character of Mike Pomeroy, the surly new co-host of Daybreak. I consider myself a fan of McAdams, possibly more for her good looks and girl-next-door charm, but this isn't my favorite performance from her.

Diane Keaton (Tilda, Darling Companion) as Colleen Peck and Harrison Ford (Cowboys & Aliens, Extraordinary Measures) as Mike Pomeroy play the unlikely hosts of Daybreak - unlikely in the sense that they could not be more opposite. Colleen represents the morning television natural, more at home talking about cooking recipes and kissing frogs than reporting on the latest in Afghanistan, while Mike is the award winning reporter forced to honor his contract and co-host Daybreak. Though the duo work well together on screen, Keaton's Colleen is forgettable in comparison to Ford's Pomeroy. Ford has long enjoyed a great career, and it is refreshing to see him in a lighter role. His snarling demeanor and prima donna mentality provide some of the best laughs throughout the movie.

Yes, the film is ultimately more of the same saccharin that typically plagues America's movie theaters. But it is refreshing to find a film that avoids the typical pitfalls of a film heavily geared towards a female audience. Not only is the film very funny, it feels accessible to all. Every good "bromance" deserves a "chickedy" (I'm coining the term to mean chick comedy) that can overcome the promos to reach a wider audience. Definitely be sure to check out this fun film!

Final Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote:
Mike Pomeroy: "Where are my God damn eggs!"