{2jtab: Movie Review}

Morning Glory Movie Review

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4 stars

While this reviewer has never limited his exposure to any type film because of age, genre, language, topic—anything you could think of that can sometimes put one off at first glance—I, like anyone else have my preferences.

At the bottom of that preference list is musicals and romantic comedies. I can’t stand it when people spontaneously burst into song, and, in the multitudes of different genres, the chick flick is the most predictable to me of all story structures.

Nearly at the top of my preference list is anything to do with Harrison Ford. Like many of my generation, he da man, and, while no one could argue his star power has waned this century considerably, compared to last, he’ll always be da man for us. Upon hearing he was involved in a chick flick, I would be lying if I said I was enthused.

Nothing is better in this world for someone who watches large amounts of film to be surprised, and Morning Glory is a big fat pleasant surprise. It is not original at all, it has all the necessary beats for a feel-good comedy, it has a large sweet tooth, but it’s deft handling of character knocks it out of the park, and well beyond any assembly line satisfaction.

Rachel McAdams plays Becky Fuller, a hardworking and extremely upbeat morning TV show producer who gets laid off. Undeterred by her doubting mother or the dozens of networks that won’t return her calls, she finds opportunity knocking when a third rate network gives her a shot at turning around the misfortunes of the worst morning television show on air. Lumbered with a demoralized production team and some very quirky on air talent, Becky manages to empower them quickly by showing she is there to fight for them. She fires the male anchor, decisively starts reinvigorating the format, and snags—due to a contractual obligation—one of the most well-respected anchors in the business: Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford).

Mike, however, is a cantankerous elitist, who deems Becky’s morning show beneath contempt and agrees, only after being forced, simply for the money.

What transpires is a fast paced, fun-filled story about two characters who teach each other some very valuable life lessons along a very rocky path to friendship and success.

Nothing in the film will surprise you, come the end credits, but you don’t care. It is a joy to watch the conflicts, the peppy ‘let’s go get ‘em rhetoric that so often makes you roll your eyes. McAdams pulls of a clichéd part so remarkably you forget any familiarity with her character’s predestined path because you just like being with her. Ford is hysterically gruff and plays it with relish. Mike Pomeroy is high browed prick, but as Becky learns why, so do we, and its then that his character’s dimensions are exposed, and his ultimate gesture to repay his young upstart producer for her efforts is a great character moment.

The supporting cast excel, with the always dependable Dianne Keaton creating some chuckles as her character goes toe-to-toe with Ford. A standout, and the man who created belly laughs for this reviewer, is Matt Molloy’s weather man.

Feel good comedies are such a well-trodden genre it’s rare to find anything resembling fun about them, despite that being their purpose. Where one knows the outcome before the end of the first reel, it takes a special combination of ingredients to make it worth sitting through. Morning Glory has done the trick. It’s not going to stun you, come the end, but it will make you laugh and come out smiling at the end.

Superb movie, well worth your time.

{pgomakase}

{2jtab: Film Info}

Morning Glory Blu-ray Review

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some sexual content including dialogue, language and brief drug references.
Director: Roger Mitchell
Writer
: Aline Brosh McKenna
Cast: Harrison Ford; Rachel McAdams; Jeff Goldblum
Genre: Comedy
Tagline: What's the story?
Memorable Movie Quote: "You happen to be a pretentious, fatuous idiot"
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Release Date: November 10, 2010
Blu-ray Release Date:
March 8, 2011.

Synopsis: When hard–working TV producer Becky Fuller (McAdams) is fired from a local news program, her career begins to look as bleak as her hapless love life. Stumbling into a job at "Daybreak" (the last–place national morning news show), Becky decides to revitalize the show by bringing on legendary TV anchor Mike Pomeroy (Ford). Unfortunately, Pomeroy refuses to cover morning show staples like celebrity gossip, weather, fashion and crafts – let alone work with his new co–host, Colleen Peck (Keaton), a former beauty queen and longtime morning show personality who is more than happy covering morning "news." As Mike and Colleen clash, first behind the scenes and then on the air, Becky's blossoming love affair with fellow producer, Adam Bennett (Wilson) begins to unravel – and soon Becky is struggling to save her relationship, her reputation, her job and ultimately, the show itself.

{pgomakase}

{2jtab: Blu-ray Details}

Morning Glory Blu-ray Review

Component Grades
Movie

Blu-ray Disc
4 stars

3 Stars



Blu-ray Experience
3.5 stars

Blu-ray

Blu-ray Details:

Available on Blu-ray - March 8, 2011
Screen Formats: 2.40:1
Subtitles
: English, English SDH, French, Spanish, Portuguese
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1; French: Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1; Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
Discs: 50GB Blu-ray Disc; Single disc (1 BD)

As bright and flawless in execution as the film itself – this is reference quality product. Audio, while not a summer blockbuster fiesta, is up to the challenge of any scene: dialogue is crisp, and everything from the ambience of a busy set to a gentle breeze in a park is realistic and well represented. Special features aren’t so special. You get a commentary and one solitary deleted scene. Shame the Blu-ray wasn’t as well thought out as the movie.

Supplements:

Commentary:

  • Feature-length audio commentary track with Director Roger Michell and Writer Aline Brosh McKenna.

Special Features:

  • Deleted Scenes - Shampoo Bottles: 1080p, 0:46

 

{2jtab: Trailer}

{pgomakase}

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