Morning Glory: Movie Review

Making a morning show is no joke: the early hours, the hard-and-fast deadlines, the drama. Paramount Pictures' new comedy, Morning Glory, starring Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, and Diane Keaton, shows just how crazy that life can be.

Morning Glory gets a lower rating because of its sexual content and foul language. Though it’s not a bad comedic flick, moviegoers may want to wait until the TV-edited version airs.

THE MOVIE IN A MINUTE

Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams) is a dedicated TV producer with the dream of working at the Today show. Her career aspirations come to a complete halt when she’s unexpectedly fired from the local New Jersey TV station. Desperate for a new job, she knocks on every door, until one opens at Daybreak, a network morning news show. Ranked last in ratings, the show is in desperate need of help. In an effort to revitalize the show, Fuller -- the new executive producer of Daybreak -- makes big changes. The clash comes when Colleen Peck (Diane Keaton), the show's longtime morning show personality, and award-winning and legendary TV journalist Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford) become co-anchors. While the show continues to struggle, Fuller finds some comfort in her relationship with fellow producer Adam Bennett (Patrick Wilson). All comes crashing down when their romance unravels and the tension on set escalates, leaving Fuller to fight for her love, reputation, job, and the show itself.

THE GOOD AND THE BAD IN MORNING GLORY

With the lines between news and entertainment blurred, Becky Fuller must be all things to all people. Her new job as the executive producer of failing show, Daybreak, challenges Rachel McAdams' character to balance sensational stories with news that really matters. The thorns in her sides are the on-air talent, Peck and Pomeroy. Fortunately, the small ensemble cast of Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, and Diane Keaton keeps these intense characters grounded and engaging. McAdams shines in this role, as the struggling workaholic who will do just about anything to keep the show alive. Playing the bitter, lonely, veteran journalist, turned reluctant morning show guy, Harrison Ford is strong in his performance showing McAdams’ character what her future will look like. Diane Keaton also brings levity to this lighthearted comedy.

Though the story is a bit shallow at times, the overcoming spirit Fuller embodies compensates for it. Morning Glory does have its tender and hilarious moments, but audiences will also be tempted to glance at their watches, as the film’s momentum crawls during some scenes.

Offensive content: Rated PG-13 for "sexual content including dialogue, language and brief drug references", Morning Glory is not appropriate for children -- at all. Adults may not even want to see and hear some of what this new film is dishing out. Profanity and obscenities are both problems. The "F" word is used multiple times (clearly spoke once, but masked over on a handful of occasions). And Christian moviegoers should also know that Jesus' name is used in a vain manner. One of the characters is encouraged to drink to escape stress. Plus, sexual content is evident throughout the film, including revealing scenes between McAdams and Wilson.

IN THE END

Morning Glory is funny and enjoyable. However, the foul language and sexual content keep it from being a good option at the theater. If you're a McAdams, Ford, or Keaton fan, then wait until Morning Glory airs on television. Hopefully some of the questionable content will be cut out.