Morning Glory

News flash! Hollywood: It is completely possible to make a comedy without dumbing it down, being crude, or exposing us to bodily fluids. In Morning Glory we are treated to charm, wit, endearing characters and good performances. Even the slapstick is doled out in measured portions; just enough to reveal personality, yet not enough to look like a cheap set-up. In other words, this comedy has class.
 
Rachel McAdams (Sherlock Holmes) portrays Becky, a young woman in love with the news and the art of broadcast journalism. Although she admires the stalwart anchormen of the past, she sees no reason why news cannot be both informative and entertaining. This makes her very effective in today’s journalism. She just wants the best of both.
 
After working her way up from the bottom and turning a local morning show into a big ratings success, Becky is served with a termination notice instead of an overdue promotion. Her loyal crew sends her off with hugs and tears while the station brings in a recent college graduate with a communications and business degree. Forced to begin over, Becky does not have the emotional support system to help her get back on top. She has given her life to her job and now her work-family has been torn from her. Overcoming this disappointment and a super critical mother, Becky must now find her own way back into the newsroom. So, in order not to give up her dream she throws herself into finding a new job, sending resumes everywhere and following up with persistent phone calls.
 
After being aggressive to the point of being annoying, Becky lands an interview with network executive Jerry Barnes, Jeff Goldbloom (Silverado). Becky overwhelms him with her enthusiasm, but she leaves disappointed. Mr. Barnes is not sure that she is up to the job. But after some thought he decides to give her a try and Becky is ecstatic. But what she doesn’t know is that the show is on its way out. As the last place morning show of all the networks, it is in danger of being cancelled and replaced by a game show. As it is, the budget is low, and morale is worse. What harm can she possibly do?
 
When Becky discovers the prospect of cancellation, she wheedles out a promise to give her six weeks to pull the ratings up and prolong the demise of the show. With this vow, she takes charge with a ferocity that only passion and determination can bring. Becky cleans house, invigorates the staff and brings in veteran news anchorman Mike Pomeroy, Harrison Ford (Star Wars). Mike Pomeroy, however doesn’t want to come. He feels that morning shows are beneath his stature. But Becky can read a contract with the best of them and she knows that if he refuses any serious offer he’ll lose his cushy 2 million dollar deal with the station. She has won this round, but he comes begrudgingly. Now she has a malcontent on her hands with a super-sized ego.
 
Diane Keaton (Annie Hall) plays Colleen Peck, a consummate professional who has been with the show for years. She feels like she has been single-handedly keeping things afloat and now she is saddled with an arrogant, grumpy, holier-than-thou prima donna. Sparks ensue, but the ratings go up. Becky’s plan is working.
 
Because this is a comedy, there must be other obstacles, so enter Adam Bennet, Patrick Wilson (Watchman). He used to produce for Mike Pomeroy and considers him the third most horrible man on the planet. Becky seeks his advice on how to manage Pomeroy and a romance between the two blossoms. Always being married to her job, this surprises her and throws her off at the same time. Not only has she found a great guy, but a man who can appreciate what she does. Now she just has to break her pattern and not screw things up.
 
Besides entertaining us, Morning Glory touches on the topics of news as entertainment, journalistic ethics and reveals to us the behind the scenes antics of live television. When the clock is ticking and being first is everything, emotions can run high. This creates the perfect pressure-cooker for drama and comedy and I feel that this film delivers. Rachel McAdams is very watch able and its fun to see her face down the veteran giant, Harrison Ford. I also enjoyed the work of Diane Keaton. From kissing a frog to donning a pink tutu, she was game for anything. I really liked her in this role and think that you will too.
 
Rating: First Run A classy comedy that deserves your attention