The light as a feather MORNING GLORY was marketed as a romantic comedy set behind the scenes at a morning news/talk show called Daybreak and starring cute Rachel McAdams; grumpy Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton. It’s charming, easy to like, and predictable.
There’s also no romance between 20 something McAdams and 70 something Ford--in fact it isn't much of a romantic comedy at all (which may be why it did only half-way decent box-office), but rather the story of an unlikely underdog with a remarkable can-do attitude transforming her work place. It's light frothy, and almost briskly paced with some good comic performances from the leads and nice support work from Jeff Goldblum and Patrick Wilson( as the love interest). It’s a Devil Wears Prada meets a slightly updated Mary Tyler Moore (sit-com).
Rachel McAdams plays Becky Fuller an energetic, optimistic morning TV. producer who shockingly (to her) loses her job at Good Morning New Jersey (when she's expecting a promotion) . She tries to convince Jerry Barnes (Jeff Goldblum) to hire her as executive producer of the 4th place network morning show Daybreak (located in the basement of the supposed IBS studios on 58th and 5th across from Bergdorf Goodman).
The show's budget is low, the staff morale is below sea level and Becky Fuller (McAdams) is merely another low paid sucker in a string of many that has been hired as Executive producer to supposedly improve the shows sagging ratings.
Becky meets the legendary news reporter Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford sort of playing Mike Wallace) and a 30 something news magazine producer Adam Bennett (Patrick Wilson) in the elevator. She gushes at Pomeroy telling him she's idolized the famous reporter since she was a little girl. After Pomeroy brushes her off like an annoying gnat, Adam tells her Pomeroy is the third worst person in the world. This sets up the funniest laugh out loud line of the picture that happens later on in the movie when Adam answers the question.. who are the first two worst people in the world.... (I will NOT spoil it for you).
Becky seems overwhelmed at first, and it looks like she's going to drown when, at her first morning meeting dozens of questions are hurled toward her from on-air personalities (entertainment reporters, the weather guy, co-anchor Colleen) and the behind the scene staff. Suddenly, Becky takes charge and surprises her staff in a good way.
Okay you already know Becky and Adam will ‘hook' up and Becky will wind up hiring Mike Pomeroy to co-anchor the morning news shows with Colleen Peck (Diane Keaton). Of course Pomeroy, the news guy doesn't fit with the happy talk format of a morning program and there are problems, conflicts and embarrassments.
But many of the most expected clichés are avoided (barely) which makes this movie better than you expect. It doesn't get to where it's going in the usual ways and as it progresses we watch several excellent supporting performances blossom. Rachel McAdams is excellent and Harrison Ford does more than just sleep walk through his part. Diane Keaton doesn't play her usual kind of ditzy character and Jeff Goldblum is pitch perfect as the network division chief in his too few scenes.
The film was written by Aline Brosh McKenna (Devil Wears Prada) and directed by Roger Michel (Notting Hill)who delivers this material very well keeping things moving quickly. J.J. Abrams produced.
The PG-13 rating is earned because of some profanity, but I wouldn’t worry about anyone watching it.
Morning Glory is a slightly better than a good sit-com. It’s a charming, well-acted lightweight comedy that’s better than you’d expect.