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FILM DETAILS

Certificate 12A

Cast Harrison Ford Rachel McAdams Patrick Wilson Diane Keaton Jeff Goldblum.

Directors Roger Michell.

Screenwriters Aline Brosh McKenna.

Running Time 107 minutes

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Morning Glory
Harrison Ford is Adrian Chiles

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Plot
Fired from her local TV news station, passionate producer Becky Fuller (McAdams) gets hired by failing breakfast show Daybreak to turn around its fortunes. Her bright idea is to pair current host Colleen Peck (Keaton) with veteran respected newsman Mike Pomeroy (Ford), an ex war correspondent who can’t even say the word “fluffy”.

Review
Beneath the 50 Cameos and BlackBerry vs. bonking dilemmas, there is something likably old-school about Morning Glory. Roger Michell’s immensely enjoyable breakfast TV comedy is more Katharine Hepburn than Katherine Heigl, sharing DNA with the fast-paced, fast-talking flicks of ’30s and ’40s romantic comedies. It doesn’t have the wit of a Wilder or the salt of a Sturges, but it still delivers grown-up laughs (emerging from human behaviour) with fizz and charm to spare.



If it has the staples of a romcom — musical montages, comedy sex, Patrick Wilson — Morning Glory is more of a workcom, Michell’s direction nailing the hubbub and energy of any thriving workplace. US reviews have compared the movie (unfavourably) to Broadcast News as it doesn’t lambast the dumbing down of news, but that misses the point: this is intended as a breezier confection keeping Becky’s (Rachel McAdams) attempts to pump blood back into fourth-rated breakfast show Daybreak fast and fun, be it firing a pervy anchor addicted to websites about half-clad grannies, dealing with staff — a dim lifetsyle expert, a goofy weatherman — or bargaining for time with her boss (Jeff Goldblum in a less kooky, more bastard role).



Yet Becky’s biggest challenge is to wrangle venerated newsman and so-called “third worst person of all time” Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford). As the egotistical Pomeroy, Ford is a joy: his grump with gusto is as engaged as he’s felt in a long time. His sparring with Diane Keaton is delicious — watch them duel over who is the last to say “’bye” — and his scenes with McAdams trying to chisel a smile on his granite face a delight. There are times when you feel convention will mean he will thaw. Happily, he doesn’t. Terrifically bad-tempered, Ford could well transform from matinée idol into our generation’s Walter Matthau.



But as good as Ford is, the film’s ace in the hole is McAdams. In her hands, Becky is driven and smart, delivering her instructions in a sing-song-y gait, settling arguments with googly eyes. Previously plying her trade as attractive support (State Of Play, Sherlock Holmes) or misery-laden romantic leads (The Notebook, The Time Traveler’s Wife), she not only carries the movie, she lifts it to another level.

Verdict
Every one of its cues might be tele-prompted, but this is an assured, likable comedy. Ford is as good as he’s been in ages, but the stand-out is McAdams. If there were any justice, the movie would send her stellar.


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Your Reviews

Average user rating for Morning Glory

Nice lttle film

Watched it last night. Not bad, bit slow in places, but I'll watch anything with Harrison Ford in! its about 20 minutes too long, but when its good its good! ... More

Posted by fraser1978 at 12:57, 20 June 2011 | Report This Post

BRILLIANT FILM, BRILLIANT PERFORMANCES AND YES FORD IS BACK, MOVIE BUFFS WILL BE CHEERING ALL OVER.

Morning Glory is something I saw out of boredom, I did not except much at all, I was close to not even going too see it, but I did and I'm glad I did, this is a brilliant film, the directorial style is superb, with McAdams and Ford putting on funny,heartwarming performances, the film starts off as a small town girl with big dreams kind of thing and then it evolves into that of a funny,entertaining and surprisingly interesting romantic office/news comedy. Diane Keaton plays the bitchy news lady ... More

Posted by lewisb548 at 19:49, 09 May 2011 | Report This Post

RE: Great fun

A breezy take on the concept of 'Broadcast News' littered with enjoyable performances and very funny moments. Diane Keaton makes a lot of a role essentially shoved into the sidelines and delivers plenty of laughs in the process – reminding us of her great comedic value that hasn't been exploited nearly enough in recent times. Rachel McAdams brings a lot of energy and likeability to a role that frequently tip-toes on the side of annoying, but never quite falls into the trap and it's her st... More

Posted by Qwerty Norris at 19:41, 31 January 2011 | Report This Post

Great fun

Doesn't pretend to be anything other then what it is. A likeable cast delivering a feel good comedy. Spirited and great fun. ... More

Posted by bretty at 20:45, 27 January 2011 | Report This Post

RE: Morning Glory

according to me, This movie has wonderful plot and I really enjoyed it. ... More

Posted by greyan at 12:30, 24 January 2011 | Report This Post

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