You who do TV can't afford to hurt! ! !

Sedrick 2022-04-21 09:02:18


A hard-working young woman in the New York City goes up against a living legend. With all her merits, she overcomes numerous obstacles in order to build a successful career and find the right man to say "yes" to.

No, I' m not talking about "The Devil Wears Prada," but the new American comedy flick, "Morning Glory," starring Rachel McAdams and Harrison Ford. It's not so surprising there's a resemblance when you find that the two movies share the same writer, Aline Brosh McKenna, although the working background is switched from the snobbish fashion field to the grueling TV industry.

Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams) is the producer of a local morning news show in New Jersey. Diligent, passionate and persistent, but Becky is unexpectedly dismissed when the company enacts cutbacks.

Stumbling into a new job at "Daybreak," the last-place network morning news program, Becky is determined to save the show from cancellation. The strategy of the new-in-office producer is to resurrect the current crew and to invite legendary news anchor, Mike Pomeroy(Harrison Ford) onboard.

Like many news men of the old generation in the States, Mike detests celebrity gossip, fashion, crafts and cooking, which make up most of a morning news show. Carrying along with his pride and aversion to the job, he is forced to sit in on "Daybreak," since Becky finds he hasn't finished the contract with the network yet.

At this point, you feel that director Roger Michel will engage in a little bit of exploration of so-called "infotainment" or examine the rapid decline of old-school serious news format. But it stays on the surface and never goes any deeper into such a debate that has been going on in the American press. But that is not necessarily a bad thing. The director knows what a comedy should offer and what viewers expect for in a workplace flick. A lot of laughter goes around and banters sound amusing Sure, it's not deep but you can be happily carried along for 100 minutes.

The upbeat workaholic spirit sustains the entire story but a love affair, even though it appears lame and uncalled-for at times, adds a human touch. It seems to tell those who find it hard to strike a balance between life and career: you work hard and then money and love would show up in the corner. What a spiritual opium! Who would have to refuse a beautiful daydream like that in a movie?

On my 1-to-10 movie scale, I give "Morning Glory" a SEVEN .

View more about Morning Glory reviews

Extended Reading

Morning Glory quotes

  • Mike Pomeroy: Nobody really cares that I can do this job, but... but I can. I wanted you to see that.

    Becky Fuller: That was a great story, Mike. That was... that was better than a great story, that was great television. I mean, that was bran with a donut. A bran donut.

    Mike Pomeroy: I've got a grandkid. Did you know that? Alexander. I haven't seen him since I got fired. I was embarrassed... after all I'd accomplished. And then to... come back to the news... this way. The truth is, I'd... I'd screwed up with my kids way before I got canned. Anyway, I was never at home and... when I was, I took every phone call, watching TV out of the corner of my eye. Why am I telling you this? You're worse than I am. You'd sleep at the office if you could. Let me tell you how it turns out. You end up with... with nothing. Nothing. Which is... which is what I had. 'Till you came along.

    Becky Fuller: Wait a second. Did you just say something nice to me?

    Mike Pomeroy: I told you I could banter.

  • Becky's Mom: Did you get any severance?

    Becky Fuller: Uh... there were some budgetary cuts last year, so they weren't really offering. But I have feelers out. Lots.

    Becky's Mom: Yeah, great. Honey, you think "The Today Show" is gonna call you up and hand you a job, and you have since you were eight, and it's not gonna happen.

    Becky Fuller: I don't... I know that, I do. I get it.

    Becky's Mom: This is partly my fault. I... I let your father get your hopes up. He was not a happy person, let's face it. When he saw you aim high, he started to feel better about himself, so I never said anything.

    Becky Fuller: What are you saying?

    Becky's Mom: You had a dream, you know? Great. When you were eight, it was adorable. When you were 18, it was inspiring. At 28, it's officially embarrassing. And I just want you to stop before we get to "heartbreaking".