Review of film: "MORNING GLORY" ( with Harrison Ford & Rachel McAdams )

Review of film:  “MORNING GLORY”

There’s no “GOOD MORNING”, & there’s nothing “TODAY” in the early-morning world of TV producer Becky Fuller (RACHEL McADAMS).  Her mother (PATTI D’ARBANVILLE) feels she’s wasting her time being so super-involved in her little television world, & urges Rachel to STOP expending efforts for her chosen line of work when she’s unceremoniously “downsized” OUT of the little job she’d had…

…  Permanently “perky” Rachel DOESN’T WANT to give up, & keeps trying to apply for some NEW position in her field.  In time, she’s reluctantly given a chance by the IBS network’s Jerry Barnes (JEFF GOLDBLUM), who’s run-thru so many “loser” candidates in the past, he feels he has little to lose by giving her a shot as the producer of their low-rated national “DAYBREAK” morning program headquartered on Channel 9 in New York…

…  It turns out that the on-air program is composed of a bunch of ineffective personalities: anchor-person Colleen Peck (DIANE KEATON);  her sex-obsessed co-host Paul McVee (TY BURRELL);  their Al-Roker-“wannabee” weatherman (played by STEVE PARK);  a dipsy female who doesn’t know proper English;  and others…

…  Producer Fred (JEROME WEINSTEIN) is honest, straightforward & helpful to Rachel, making clear he knows what she’s “up” against…  In time, she tries to make wholesale improvements in the show to build up their ratings, including FIRING Ty…

…  Rachel gets the idea of trying to hire highly-respected “old-time” newsman Mike Pomeroy (HARRISON FORD) as a co-anchor.  He’s a renowned broadcaster who’s angry at having been shunted to a “do-nothing” job on the Evening news;  but he’s condescending & un-eager at the idea of  doing the “FLUFF” type news that their morning show is known for…

…  An IBS Exec Adam Bennett (PATRICK WILSON) attempts to caution Rachel AGAINST trying to utilize Harrison, warning that he’s the “3^rd worst person in the world” to deal with.  But Rachel (whom Patrick is attracted to) is adamant in her efforts to “recruit” (& “FORCE”) Harrison into taking the job…

…  Harrison wants to do nothing but “HARD” news reports, & his consistently arrogant & egotistical attitudes tend to “TURN-OFF” the rest of the people involved with the show, especially Diane (who’s very OPEN in her dislike & put-downs of him)…       

…  Desperate to improve their sinking ratings, Rachel urges the on-air cast to consider doing “CRAZY” things on the show.  Diane is quite funny in her “down-home” willingness to “go-along” with the program’s “program”…

…  Particularly funny is weatherman Steve, who’s really “PUT-upon” in the “stunts” they ask him to do--  but he soon grows really enthusastic & happy to carry out the plans, since it gets him a lot of favorable attention from the public…

…  Harrison is quite RESISTANT to the “Happy Talk” type format, & his fights with Diane are enjoyable to behold…  There are various guests who play THEMSELVES in the film, such as “50 CENT”,  BOB SCHIEFFER, MORLEY SAFER & others…

…  Will Harrison “CONFORM” to the new ideas?  Will Rachel’s efforts be “enough” to keep the threatened show on the AIR?...  Will she accept the romantic interests of Patrick?...  Will Rachel accept a potentially BETTER job she’s offered elsewhere?...  Tune-in to find out!...

…  The concept of the film is simple--  but it’s unusually EFFECTIVE in how well it “WORKS”, thanks to very good CASTING & acting efforts by the ensemble.  It’s considerably FUNNIER than I expected it to be in a number of places, & thus I’d rate it at 7.5 out of 10 stars…