Review: Morning Glory (2010)

Title, Year:  Morning Glory (2010)

Director:  Roger Michell

Morning Glory is intended to be a frothy romantic comedy, a “chick flick” if you will, constructed around an expose’ of the current state of television news.  The movie didn’t drum up much box office during its theatrical release and the critical response was middling at best.  Yet I was intrigued enough to watch this film, as it seemed similar to movies like as Broadcast News and Working Girl, both from the 80’s and both biting commentaries of their time as well as successful films. 

This film is pretty entertaining, but it doesn’t dig deep enough into the more interesting issues and instead focuses on the entertainment factor.  I understand though, because movies for “adults” are becoming fewer and fewer in major Hollywood releases and from a business perspective it just makes more sense to go for some laughs, in hopes that people will flock to the theater to get away from the stresses of modern life.  The irony is that the more interesting aspects of this film skate around an argument troubling the news media today…“shall we entertain them or inform them?”  The movie begins to imply that good news can do both, but by the end of the film I felt like I had just been told all that really matters is to sit back and have a good time.  I think it was too much to layer into a film that the studio just really wants to use as a tent-pole romantic comedy.  Alternative programming built for date night!

I hope I don’t seem too negative, because I did find the film very entertaining, even if a bit disagreeable.  The basic set up involves Rachel McAdams as a workaholic morning news producer trying to save a failing morning show.  Diane Keaton and Harrison Ford play seasoned anchors with different philosophies.  Oh, and of course there is a love interest, played by Patrick Wilson (of Watchmen and Little Children).   Jeff Goldblum has a minor part as the boss of the failing news show and resigned to let it go.  Goldblum has a great way with words and he steals every scene he’s in.   The film gets really funny when the morning crew decides to go for broke and try to boost ratings by doing anything and everything to bring in viewers.  I won’t spoil anything, but there are some good laughs. 

Here’s a question, should a movie entertain or inform…or both?  I think some of the best films ever made have found a way to do both.  Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t place Morning Glory in that best film category, but it’s not a bad way to spend an evening.  After all, I was entertained and kept thinking about what it was trying to say afterwards.  That’s an accomplishment.