Movie Review: Morning Glory (2010)

Morning Glory 

Paramount Pictures, Bad Robot, Goldcrest Pictures, USA, 2010. 

Becky (Rachel McAdams) is plucky producer of popular morning TV show. She is committed to her work and she is single. Her career ends because the corporate wants to pave way for a new future channel leader. Jerry Barnes (Jeff Goldblum) gives her a new job opportunity as executive producer of mediocre morning TV show Daybreak.

Becky Fuller

Jerry Barnes

Second producer Lenny (John Pankow)

The work atmosphere is bad and the hosts of the show Colleen Peck (Diane Keaton) and Paul McVee (Ty Burrell) are weird. Becky fires Paul for his low work morale. Becky wants to hire her idol, famous but rude journalist Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford). Mike is not interested but his contract with the channel requires him to appear on the air or he loses his contract. Becky meets romantic interest man candy Adam Bennett (Patrick Wilson).

Paul McVee

Colleen Peck

Adam Bennett

The show is struggling and the channel threatens to cancel it. Becky invents wacky gimmicks to raise the ratings but Mike makes her work difficult. Weatherman Ernie Appleby (Matt Malloy) is sent to test a new roller coaster, experience a jet fighter ride and he also gets a tattoo on live broadcast. Mike does not want to play but is interested only in serious news topics.

Mike Pomeroy

It was quite fun, with good and eccentric cast. Harrison Ford is grumpier than ever. Energetic Rachel McAdams is like younger generation Julia Roberts and this is definitely her show. The romantic subplot is bit smaller than I expected as the main focus is watching how Becky tries to keep the show running. And also it offers a humoristic view on the backstage of a morning TV show. This is not meant to challenge "Network" as a media satire but works nicely as a lighthearted comedy.

Part of The 2016 Movie Watching Challenge (#12. Movie whose name refers to part of a day)

Rating: Good

Starring: Rachel McAdams, Diane Keaton, Harrison Ford, Noah Bean, Jack Davidson, Vanessa Aspillaga, Jeff Hiller, Linda Powell, Mike Hydeck, Joseph J. Vargas, Mario Frieson, Kevin Herbst, Jerome Weinstein, Steve Park, David Fonteno, Patti D'Arbanville, Jeff Goldblum, Patrick Wilson, Ty Burrell, Adrian Martinez, John Pankow, J. Elaine Marcos, Matt Malloy, Rizwan Manji, Jay Russell, Finnerty Steeves, Rick Younger, Arden Myrin, Caroline Clay, Katie Hyde, Allen Warnock, Welker White, Maddie Corman, Jeremy Beiler, Jonathan Forte, Kevin Pariseau, Christopher Sieber, Elizabeth Keifer, Lauren Cohn, Jayne Houdyshell, Miguel A. Hernandez Jr., Alice Callahan, Miles O'Brien, Elaine Kaufman, Bob Schieffer, Morley Safer, Chris Matthews, Don Roy King, Robert Caminiti, Stefani Cohen, Gray Winslow, Kristine Nielsen, Paul Urcioli, Rosalynd Darling, Gio Perez, Pepper Binkley, Steve McAuliff, Vincent J. Robinson, 50 Cent, Tony Yayo, DJ Whoo Kid, Lloyd Banks, Don Hewitt, Reed Birney, Carmen M. Herlihy, Bruce Altman, Kathleen McNenny, Jason Kravits, John Bundy
Director: Roger Michell