Lack of originality restricts acting in 'Morning Glory'
Being original is hard work, sure, but this is ridiculous. For her follow-up to the wildly successful “The Devil Wears Prada,” screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna has given us ...the same movie all over again?
Oh, there are a few differences between “Prada” and the new comedy “Morning Glory.” Superficial ones.
“Prada,” of course, was about an ambitious/naive young woman who gets a job at a fashion magazine and must contend
with a miserable, abusive boss.
“Morning Glory” is about an ambitious/naive young woman who gets a job producing a network morning show and must contend with a miserable, abusive anchor man.
The hard-working Becky (Rachel McAdams) can't believe her good luck in landing a network gig. (She also strikes up a hot little affair with a producer, played by Patrick Wilson.)
To boost ratings, Becky fires the male anchor and maneuvers to have network news legend Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford) step in. Pomeroy, a curmudgeon who thinks sparkling happy talk is beneath him, hates the gig but has no choice if he wants to keep drawing a fat paycheck.
On air Pomeroy is sullen and monosyllabic. He quickly alienates his co-host (Diane Keaton, who's underused) by refusing to participate in any of the show's “fun” features. Off air he radiates contempt toward Becky.
But the main reason to give “Morning Glory” a try is the relationship between the sour Pomeroy and the scrambling, struggling Becky, evolving from hostility to grudging tolerance and finally a muted affection.
McAdams goes beyond the cute-young-thing and makes Becky a workaholic who's challenged in the love department.
It's not much, but it's enough to keep our interest.
TITLE: “Morning Glory”CAST: Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, Patrick WilsonDIRECTOR: Roger MichellRATED: PG-13 for some sexual content including dialogue, language and brief drug referencesGRADE: ★★¹⁄₂ (out of 5)
