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Every morning, while they’re brewing their coffee and getting the kids off to school, millions of people turn on the TV and tune in to watch their favorite morning show. Typically, they’re treated to a light and entertaining mix of news, weather, and human interest stories. But rarely do they find something that’s quite as much fun as Morning Glory, a light-hearted comic collaboration by Notting Hill director Roger Michell, The Devil Wears Prada writer Aline Brosh McKenna, and a cast full of colorful characters.
Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams) entire life revolves around her job as a morning show producer—so when she’s fired to make way for a new hire, she feels completely lost. After repeatedly hounding a number of stations, she finally hears back from Jerry Barnes (Jeff Goldblum) at IBS in New York, who’s looking for an executive producer for the network’s failing morning show, Daybreak. Becky is convinced that the show just needs the right person to turn things around—so when Jerry hires her, she’s eager to get to work.
On her first day at Daybreak, Becky fires the show’s creepy co-host, Paul McVee (Ty Burrell). Left without a male host to pair with perky Colleen Peck (Diane Keaton)—and without a single cent to hire someone new—she asks underused veteran news anchor Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford) to fill the position. While he’s contractually obligated to take the job, though, that doesn’t mean that he has any intention of doing what she wants him to do—and, even before his debut, he begins to make Becky’s life miserable.
While most comedies these days seem determined to shock audiences with their outrageous behavior, Morning Glory is just genuinely funny—a good-natured light comedy that’s perfectly happy to make viewers laugh without making them feel uncomfortable.
Though McAdams is a bit bland as the ambitious executive producer, the rest of the cast more than makes up for any and all weaknesses on her part. Keaton is lovably fluffy—yet aptly egotistical—as Colleen, while Ford amusingly overplays the gruff and crusty old anchor. Together, they make a perfectly unlikely team—the kind that you’d happily watch every morning, if only to take in the sheer insanity of the pairing.
Meanwhile, even the minor characters add to the fun—especially Matt Malloy, whose overzealous weatherman Ernie Appleby gets the heartiest, most gut-busting of laughs for his extreme on-air stunts. His role is so funny, in fact, that it might even remind you of Steve Carell’s hilarious breakout role in Bruce Almighty.
Of course, the film isn’t without its flaws. The plot is mindlessly predictable—complete with an awkwardly warm-fuzzy conclusion—and the romance between Becky and IBS coworker Adam (Patrick Wilson) feels like an afterthought (and a completely unnecessary one at that). But none of its flaws can spoil the fun of this easy-going and entertaining comedy—and it’s still about as refreshing and invigorating as that first cup of coffee in the morning.
Blu-ray Review:
Morning Glory may be loaded with light-hearted laughs, but the film’s Blu-ray release isn’t exactly loaded with features.
The disc’s extras menu offers just two options. A short deleted scene, “Shampoo Bottles,” shows Diane Keaton’s Colleen on the air with co-host Paul McVee. And the audio commentary takes a look at the lengthy filmmaking process with writer Aline Brosh McKenna and director Roger Michell. While it does offer an interesting look at the evolution of the characters and their story, though, it’s a rather dry feature—so only the most devoted of fans will want to listen to the whole thing.
If you’re looking for extras, then, you’ll be disappointed by this Blu-ray release. But the film’s breezy comedy still makes it worth checking out.
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