2010. Dir: Roger Michell. Starring: Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, Patrick Wilson and Jeff Goldblum. ●●●○○
Formulas are meant to work, they are meant to work because the plot is tried and tested with a million other examples in the relevant genre. They work because we, as an audience, often don't want much more than the formula. In Morning Glory writer Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada) and director Roger Michell (Notting Hill) both know that formula and work very hard to follow it. They should have tried something different. The formula restricts them so much that the great chemistry and situations are buried under the relentless forward motion of the plot contrivances.
Of course the plot does not have an original twist in it's 107 minute running time. Rachel McAdams, as perky as possible, plays a workaholic TV producer who gets the enviable job of trying to save Daybreak (no, not that one) the ailing breakfast news programme on IBS (couldn't thay have found better initial than that). Recognising things have to change shesacks the pervy male anchor and replaces him with grumpy high-minded journo Harrison Ford. In the meantime she's in the early stages of a relationship with current affairs producer Patrick Wilson.
Does the show get to the magic share that will stop Jeff Goldblum's exec cancelling it? Will Ford and co-anchor Diane Keaton put away their differences and work together as a team? Will Wilson and McAdams find a way to co-exist with the demands of their high pressure jobs? We know the answers to these - they all fit within the formula.
On the plus side, other than the bleeding obvious throughline of the movie, just about everything work fine. The comic element works well throughout with some choice one-liners from the older cast and the occasional bout of slapstick, the romance seems a little tagged on but both McAdams and Wilson are beautiful people and you can't help hoping it will be OK for them in the long run, although frankly I have my doubts. The audience that were hoping for Broadcast News level bite at the dumbing down of hard journalism shouldn't be too disappointted as the thesis seems to me to suggest that - in Breakfast anyway - the big story should be able to rub shoulders with culture.
The cast all put in fine work, with Diane Keaton and Harrison Ford particulary proving what great comedic performers they are; she's all ditzy and charming, he's deadpan with solid timing.
For a change I'd like to suggest how this film could have been significantly better. Instead of showing the arc of the characters over several months I believe we could have followed behind the scenes during one morning show, from the pre-production meeting to the final credits. I think the same beats could've been hit, and the emotional storyline for the characters who learn might have had a better chance of translating with the audience if it were a single day of getting there. The jokes would also have had more time to develop. Any Hollywood producers who agree just give me a call and we can discuss Morning Glory 2.
Overall the film was pleasant enough viewing in spite of it's straitjacket. I fully expect this to be the best romantic comedy I see this year.
Showing posts with label Morning Glory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Morning Glory. Show all posts
Thursday, 10 February 2011
Morning Glory
Saturday, 22 January 2011
What happened to my sweet sweet girl? (Out this week - 21/01/11)
It's not an awfully surprising choice as the top film this week, Darren Aronofsky's latest ballet mindf**k is a cinematic must see. That said there are a lot of films out that may be worth seeing after the jump. There's also been a mini festival of Bollywood entries that I've missed off from the last couple of weeks so go through the jump to find out what you're missing. Although if you take my advice you'll just see the film of the week: Black Swan
Black Swan
I saw this last night and am now unable to gets it's imagery out of my fevered brain, plus I keep scratching at my back. When a simple movie is able to get into your subconcious in that way it is simply impossible to ignore.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●●●○○
The Dilemma
It made it into my top 20 for 2011 with it's concept alone, the reviws have been poor and Vince Vaughn with Kevin James isn't far off from a satanic punishment. That said Channing Tatum looks hot and this is the second best Winona Ryder film of the week.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●●○○○
Get Low
Robert Duvall gets his first starring role in over 15 years as the mysterious hermit who returns to his local town in order to arrange his funeral (which he will attend whilst still alive). Bill Murray and Sissy Spacek are among the supporting players.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●○○○○
Morning Glory
Critics are mixed on this TV newsroom-set romcom, those that compare it to Broadcast News or who value the santity of reporting are sniffy, those who take it at face value have been quite positive. I'll have to see for myself.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●○○○○
John Carpenter's The Ward
80's synth fans rejoice, the mast of stalker horror has returned after a ten year sabattical with a maniacal killer loose in a psychiatric ward story. Probably derivative, but with Carpenter at the helm expect some nifty scares.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Dhobi Ghatt
Lyrical looking hyperlink drama from Bollywood with four interlocking Mumbai-set stories. Trailer plays down the traditional feel with a seductive, plaintive soundtrack.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Honeymooner
Low budget British indie from Sophomore director Col Spector, about a jilted bride groom spending the two weeks honeymoon moping around London getting over it. The sort of work that would fit in nicely at Sundance if it were set in New York.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
I Spit on your grave
Notorious video nasty and rape revenge fantasy of the early 1980's gets a twenty-first century makeover. Expect the gore to be upped and the subtext dumbed down.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Kaavalan
Tamil film, translates as The Bodyguard. The trailer is full of action scenes and comic sidekicks, but nothing that looks vaguely like a plot.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
My Soul to Take
I'm not sure whether Wes Craven's cinematic return has actually made it to cinemas. There are no reviews anywhere and it isn't showing on any listings. Given it's appalling US business that's probably a good thing.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
NEDS
Or Non-Educated Delinquents. Peter Mullan's Scottish gang coming of age drama has a lot of high profile fans, mainly because of the superb central performance of first time actor Conor McCarron. Will almost certainly be lost in the shuffle of this weeks releases.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
14 January 2011
And some Bollywood late entries that I missed out on:
Aadukalam
More Tamil action this time based against the backdrop of competitive cock-fighting. I'm not sure I can in any way support this one.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Isi Life Mein
Professional looking trailer with lots of dancing for Bollywood movie espousing living life to the full. It's a romcom about a couple from different walks of life, naturally.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Siruthai
I can't find a synopsis anywhere for this Indian release. The trailer indicates a police corruption plotline with some pretty nifty Saw like weaponry.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Tuesday Trailers - Morning Glory
Back to our super Friday in January here's a little something that will appeal to a vastly different audience to Black Swan. I've heard Roger Michell's latest comedy compared unfavourably to both The Devil wears Prada and Broadcast News, two films it clearly owes a debt to, however this still seems to have enough zip to please it's target audience. Curiously the Daybreak news programme Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton front is the same name as the current beleagured ITV breakfast show here in the UK - can't wait to see how the BBC film reviewers stick the knife in with that.
Morning Glory will be released on 21 January 2011.
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Harrison Ford
Happy Birthday to
Harrison Ford
68 today
I know it's not a particularly recent photo, but be honest when you saw it was Ford's birthday you immediately thought of either Han Solo or Indy. As well as passing my best wishes for his birthday I'd like to wish Ford and Calista Flockhart hearty congratulations following their wedding in June, and to say I'm looking forward to seeing Morning Glory.
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Diane Keaton
Happy Birthday to
Diane Keaton
64 today
I hope she enjoys her day. Well, now that's out of the way the day before yesterday I included Morning Glory among my top twenty films to look forward to in 2010, starring the aforementioned Ms Keaton. Within 24 hours Alex in Movieland declared "I suspect this one will flop. like every other Diane Keaton movie of the last 6 years...".
I coughed out my coffee and was about to write a strongly worded defence, but before so I thought I'd better check my facts. In the last 6 years Diane has made 5 features.
2005 The Family Stone 43rd highest grossing film in US cinemas that year with $60.1m (further $2.1m in UK) entered at number 3 in the BO charts that week behind King Kong and The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Not a flop (but hardly a ringing endorsement).
2007 Because I Said So 63rd highest grossing film in US cinemas that year with $42.7m (further $2.0m in the UK) entered at number 2 in BO charts that week. Less successful, but still a reasonable income.
2007-8 Mama's Boy and Smother, which appear to have the same story line, both go straight to DVD. Unless you're in Mexico where they are inexplicable popular.
2008 Mad Money 115th highest grossing film in US cinemas that year with $20.7m (not released in the UK) entered at number 6. Crikey - that's a big flop!
If we take this (admittedly very small) sample we can extrapolate the following trend.
2010 Morning Glory 147th highest grossing film in US cinemas this year with -$0.5m (!) (taking anything up to $1.8m if it opens in the UK) enters the US box office at number 7. Now that would be a flop!!!
Sunday, 3 January 2010
20 for 2010 - Morning Glory
As we move up the list to number 15 we are met by Morning Glory.
I am rather hopeful that this will be a modern take on a screwball comedy, with Harrison Ford playing a News Anchor who's quits do to the pre-ponderance of gossip on his own channel and moves to a local show.
With any luck they'll be lots of bitchiness on screen between Ford and Diane Keaton as his co-anchor, and hopefully even a love blossoming story with their producer Rachel MacAdams and Patrick Wilson. There's even Jeff Goldblum in the cast which guarantees a few "hmm, let the punchline sink in moments".
Of course all of this is pure conjecture. We know nothing about this movie but a very loose plot description and the casting. We do know that director Roger Michell and writer Aline Brosh McKenna both have good form in the rom-com sector (Notting Hill and The Devil Wears Prada respectively), so with that sort of talent on board we could be on to a good thing.
Sunday, 12 April 2009
Film News (11/04/09)
Easter has effectively made it a four day week so you would have thought news would slow down - wrong I'm afraid. In fact there's been some great stuff about and all for films which are completely new to me.
Dream House and Scarpa
Morgan Creek, the production company behind such hits as True Romance and Ace Ventura have had a poor couple of years, but this week their new figurehead Rick Nicita annouced 3 films which are being worked on. Two of which may be worth seeing. Scarpa is about Greg Scarpa Sr, the FBI highest level informant. I'm also fascinated by Dream House, set to be directed by Jim Sheridan. I love iot when serious directors slum it for the money and this is about a family who move into a house where the previous father went a bit crazy and killed the family, and now he wants his house back... Sounds like some serious slumming, and eerily similar to Cold Creek Manor which gave us Stephen Dorff putting his snakes around his old home. If Dream House is anything close to that I'm there.
Stephen Dorff - snake not pictured.
Box of Delights
The kids classic from John Masefield is getting the big screen treatment. The plot is somewhat convoluted concerning a magic box that gives the user powers of flight, time travel, ability to shrink etc which a small boy has to protect from an evil wizard. I remember loving this book 20 something years ago - much more than I remember the book itself so the adaptation may be something to really get the kids interested in.
Morning Glory
It's been rumoured for a while but this week Diane Keaton and Jeff Goldblum signed to join Harrison Ford and Rachel McAdams in Morning Glory. Keaton and Ford will play warring co-anchors with McAdams and Goldblum trying to keep the peace. Hopefully a Broadcast News for the Noughties.
Twelve
Amazingly Joel Schumacher still has a career directing (although his last effort Town Creek has yet to score a release), what's more he can still assemble interesting casts for his projects. Chace Crawford, Emma Roberts, Rory Culkin, Ellen Barkin, Keifer Sutherland and 50 Cent have all signed up to Twelve, all about a NY small time drug dealer whose best friend is arrested for his cousin's murder. Interestingly 50 Cent was the star of Get Rich or Die Trying, which is the last film Jim Sheridan did for the cash, linking us back to the first story.
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