Morning Glory, like its female lead Rachel McAdams, has gobs of potential. It's directed by Roger Michell (Notting Hill), written by Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada), and produced J.J. Abrams (Lost, Alias). And the cast! The adorably likable McAdams and Diane Keaton. The delightfully snarky Harrison Ford and Jeff Goldblum. And it's about TV morning shows. You know, those "news magazines" that tell you about the latest terrorist attack one minute and then help you whip up a tasty shrimp tempura the next. So. Much. Fodder.

But sadly, this impressive collection doesn't dazzle quite like it should.

It starts out well enough—like the first hour of any respectable morning show. We see Becky Fuller (McAdams), our workaholic leading lady, bungling her way through what we can only image is just one of countless awkward dates she's been on. Next scene we see her alarm waking her at 1:30 a.m., so she can get to work for her job as a producer for Good Morning, New Jersey. Becky is clearly in her element here—chatting up her coworkers, deftly waking up an anchor who has fallen asleep on air. 

Rachel McAdams as Becky Fuller

Rachel McAdams as Becky Fuller

Becky and her colleagues think she's a shoe-in for a promotion. But poor Becky gets blindsided by a layoff. No worries. This woman, pluck personified, buckles down and works her contacts, finally willing herself into a job at Daybreak, the last-place morning news show in New York City with a worn-out studio, budget, and cast.

In this new gig, she inherits Colleen Peck (Keaton), a former beauty queen who presides over the show with almost-believable aw-shucks charm, as well as a dorky but lovable weather man and a hot fashionista who has a slew of fruity story ideas and just as many made-up words in her vocabulary. Becky fires Colleen's creepy co-anchor on her first day and eventually wrangles legendary news anchor Mike Pomeroy (Ford) onto the team as his replacement. He'd rather die than discuss diet tips on air, but Becky gets him on a contractual loophole.

Becky tries to get through to the ornery Mike (Harrison Ford)

Becky tries to get through to the ornery Mike (Harrison Ford)

And of course there's a hunky love interest. Despite Becky's neurotic rambling and inability to keep her work from completely consuming her life, Adam (Patrick Wilson) pursues her with patience and passion. It's about as believable as Harrison Ford's tan. And about as romantic … because the real love affair takes place between Becky and her job. She lives to work—though that's made difficult by unreasonable ratings expectations from her boss, a deplorable pep talk from her mom, and endless headaches from her motley on-air crew. Ultimately she's forced to make some tough decisions about her professional goals and her personal life.

Article continues below

McAdams is mostly winning as Becky. Though it's hard to believe that this 20-something producer prodigy is this neurotic and easily flustered. At times she's just too perky, too plucky, too … just too. Keaton is pitch perfect as the show's veteran anchor, a humorous blend of angst and former beauty queen charm. Casting Ford as the crusty newsman was pure genius; he's the stodgy jerk you love to hate. Though he'll get lost amidst the bigger names, John Pankow (remember him from Mad About You?) does a lovely job as Becky's assistant. He's the most realistic piece of this ensemble, a grounding balance to the over-the-top lot.

Diane Keaton as Colleen Peck

Diane Keaton as Colleen Peck

This team does produce some laugh-out-loud moments. Colleen doing the inane things morning news anchors do—ballet dancing with preschoolers, handling wild animals, donning a sumo-wrestling suit. Caustic arguments between anchors that take place mere milliseconds before the happy-clappy "welcome back!" The politics of photo shoots, booking guests, the final goodbye of the show. There's some good stuff here.

Morning Glory touches on the way we in the viewing public like our "news" delivered—with heavy doses of entertainment. Heck yeah, put that weatherman on a roller coaster while he tells us the forecast. We want a laugh with our updates on the latest hurricane and armed conflict. There's the merest hint of commentary on whether this is okay or whether it's reducing our collective intelligence to that of a houseplant. But mostly, perhaps appropriately, it's just played for laughs.  

Colleen gets a kick out of her co-anchor

Colleen gets a kick out of her co-anchor

When it sticks with bickering news anchors and inane brainstorming sessions, Morning Glory is comedic gold. Unfortunately, this comedy is interrupted by a half-hearted romance, an overwrought leading lady, and some sappy dialogue. 

By the end it feels like the final hour of one of those morning news shows. A bit sloppier, less thoughtful, not as compelling. Morning Moments-of-Glory, if you will. Not quite what it could have been or should have been given the players involved, but a decent rental.

Talk About It

Discussion starters
  1. What are your thoughts on the hard-news versus entertainment-value debate? Where is the balance? Should there be a balance? Can these two things intermingle?
  2. Have you ever wrestled with workaholism? If so, how did you handle it? What role did your faith play in seeking a healthier balance in your life?
Article continues below
  1. What did you think of the talk Becky's mom gives her about following her dreams? Is she being negative and mean or realistic?
  2. Have you ever been forced to take a job you didn't like? How did you handle it? Did you learn any lessons along the way? 
  3. Do you think Becky makes the right career decision at the end of the film? Why or why not? What decision would you have made?

The Family Corner

For parents to consider

Morning Glory is rated PG-13 for some sexual content, including dialogue, language, and brief drug references. Becky and Adam almost have sex on their first date—and only don't because Becky's called away to attend to a work crisis. In that scene we see Becky in her panties. Mike gets drunk because he's nervous about his first show, though he doesn't really do anything crazy. Creepy original morning anchor guys appears to have a foot fetish. When Becky gets fired, she says the s-word many times. A couple news stories that are discussed focus on a pap smear and a colonoscopy.

Morning Glory
Our Rating
2½ Stars - Fair
Average Rating
 
(not rated yet)ADD YOURSHelp
Mpaa Rating
PG-13 (for some sexual content, including dialogue, language and brief drug references)
Directed By
Roger Michell
Run Time
1 hour 47 minutes
Cast
Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton
Theatre Release
November 10, 2010 by Paramount Pictures
Browse All Movie Reviews By:
Tags: