Early Riser
Becky (Rachel McAdams) lives and breathes being a TV show producer that is until she is let go as a producer from a breakfast TV show as they are cutting costs. Fortunately she receives a call from Jerry (Jeff Goldblum) who needs someone with enthusiasm to breathe new life in the struggling "Daybreak" show. But Becky will need all the enthusiasm she can draw on as she has to fire a sexist co-host, talk big time reporter Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford) in to not only taking the job but do the job properly. And just to add to her issues she is falling for Adam (Patrick Wilson) who works at the network.
When it comes to "Morning Glory" I am sure there are going to be those who think what's the point because here is a comedy with a female lead but it doesn't fit the romantic comedy formula. Of course there is some romance involved, she falls for work colleague Mike who is handsome, but the destiny of the movie isn't all about her finding, getting and keeping her man which I know throws people. It's sad really that a steady diet of formula driven romantic comedies mean that something not new but different to the norm does not work as well with audiences as those who fit the norm.
Now I am not saying that "Morning Glory" is a great movie but with a driving energy, a good cast and great characters it is surprisingly entertaining and attention keeping. But what does that mean story wise, well quite simply you have Becky trying to turn around the fortunes of a struggling TV show and so we have the behind the scenes of the production. That means have presenter conflict, a set which is deteriorating, character egos and so on. And so what that means is that we have Becky trying to keep every thing running and looking in control but beneath the surface is kicking hard to stay afloat and by trying to do so much is on the verge of everything going wrong.
Because "Morning Glory" is reliant on the characters the casting is key to the movie and whilst Rachel McAdams is the lead, bringing the enthusiasm and freneticism needed to make her character entertaining this movie is owned by Harrison Ford. Ford brings ego and that bullish sarcasm which he does so well and it is his scenes where he is giving Mike the full ego treatment which works the best.
What this all boils down to is that "Morning Glory" isn't anything new but it does feel different because it isn't just another formula driven romantic comedy. But for me whilst entertaining it is not entertaining enough that I would go out of my way to watch it again as whilst it quickly bursts in to life it slowly goes down hill from that initial peak of humour.
