Morning Glory Chokes Out the Talent
Morning Glory follows convention so well, it is as though we have already seen the movie. Remember screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna’s previous work The Devil Wears Prada: an all too eager girl trying to fight her way to the top by proving her worth in a field which she seems ill fit for to begin with. Enter Rachel McAdams with her underdog gumption and go-getter spunk, which becomes too thick throughout the movie, as she tries to pull together the misfit crew of a dying morning news program. As she quickly makes changes to the program she must contend with the bold personalities of Ford and Keaton; these co-hosts butt heads battling over whether or not to present hard news or “fluff”.
This social comedy remarks on the workaholic mentality of society as it affects family dynamics. McAdams and Ford are parallel characters asking the question which is worth more: relationships or a career? Ford is the gruff, professional broadcaster who has worked so hard to reach the top with hard news stories that the only place left for him to go is down with frittatas. McAdams is an emerging producer who is dedicating her entire life to entertaining and informing the public that she leaves little room for her own life. Through each other the pair realizes that there is more to life than a career.
In this respect, the movie is worth the viewing. Gather around with your overpriced popcorn and soda “deal” and wait for the wholesome, good-feelings to emerge as the fluff fills the screen. Convention rules the plot structure, which is forgivable, but to leave the characters with so little depth and fill them with annoying qualities (i.e. Ford’s forced Dark Knight voice and McAdams’ over the top Pollyanna enthusiasm) make it difficult to even enjoy the cliché turn at the end.
Luckily, the film is injected with strong characters playing in the supporting cast. Take a look at the field newscaster played by Matt Malloy and Lenny played by Joseph J. Vargus for genuine characters that bring humor to the film. Also the set decoration is key to the authentic feeling of the movie as well; small, cramped, and crowded with props and papers shoved into corners lends believability to the hectic and disheveled life of the Daybreak family.
It is not that the genre is bad, but the execution could have been better, especially with such a strong cast. Overall it fails in creating suspended disbelief by forcing the audience to relate to un-relatable characters while providing mediocre entertainment. So, if you have nine dollars and an hour and a half to spare bundle up and find a seat. Do not worry it will not be crowed.
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