McAdams is a young, spirited TV producer Becky Fuller, who we first witness being let go from her New Jersey morning show when the company is forced to downsize. She manages to score a job on below-par morning news show Daybreak (any similarities between its real-life, almost identical UK doppelganger is entirely coincidental). Haemorrhaging viewers by the week, the young executive immediately resolves to turn around the show’s dwindling audience and promptly fires female presenter Colleen Peck’s (Keaton – relaxed and graceful) boorish and pervy co-anchor, and hires Mike Pomeroy (Ford), a veteran newscaster who bemoans the position he’s found himself, doing his best to sabotage Fuller’s best efforts by generally behaving like a old, petty curmudgeon (at one point he refuses to utter the word “fluffy”, claiming he’s offended by it!).
Fuller soon finds herself as referee between Peck and Pomeroy while struggling to maintain a relationship with a fellow employee (played by Watchmen’s Patrick Wilson), to save her reputation, her job and ultimately, the show itself.
Can you guess the outcome? Sure, Morning Glory may be predictable and a tad formulaic, but despite this (and having a soundtrack that sounds like it’s been sourced from Magic FM), these minor shortcomings never distract from all the fun to be had here. It’s the kind of light comedy that Hollywood does so well with the right kind of talent attached, and the film certainly comes with a solid pedigree of talent in front, and behind, the camera. Although not an obvious choice of film to brandish the Bad Robot insignia when it springs up pre-credits, Producer J.J. Abrams (Alias, Lost and Star Trek) certainly has his fingerprints over the production – from its tight and economical pacing, it the choices made in casting and direction.
McAdams is her usual, appealing down-to-earth self. It’s a performance which really has you rooting for her character, as she desperately battles to improve on audience figures, whilst faced with the daily tribulation of trying to appease and pacify her two anchors. Her sweet determined nature shines through.
The film loses a little narrative grip towards the end (and some of its bite) when McAdams is able to push through Pomeroy’s tough exterior to find a wounded soul underneath, but it’s to the actor’s credit (especially Ford) that it doesn’t turn into an out and out mushfest!
Bolstered by an appealing supporting cast (which also includes Jeff Goldblum as McAdams’ exasperated boss), in many ways Morning Glory is conventional, sugar-coated Hollywood fare, but it’s never less than thoroughly enjoyable.
Morning Glory is released in the UK cinemas TODAY!
[Rating:3/5]