With all the worthy dramas around at the moment (well it is awards time), it's nice and refreshing to see a comedy that is funny,sweet-natured, fluffy (oh we are not allowed to use that word!) and worth a look among the other, slightly heavier fare around.
Becky Fuller works for a small TV station producing its breakfast show until she is forced to leave due to cutbacks. Desperate for a job, she bothers every TV station in New York until she gets an offer from IBS, a news channel with a failing morning show called Daybreak (not to be confused with the UK's failing breakfast show of the same name). Filled with uninspired stories, a bitchy anchor woman and a male anchor with a liking for feet, Becky shakes things up by firing the male and bringing in respected newsman Mike Pomeroy, described as the third worse person in the world. When the rating fall even lower with Mike's terrible attitude, she has six weeks to get things back on track otherwise the show is cut and jobs will be lost.
There have been hundreds of newsroom films (the big daddy being Broadcast News) so this might not be the most original of ideas, and yet for some strange reason, it works. It's perky, moves along nicely and if the ending is a little predictable, it's a fun old journey.
Rachel McAdams finally gets a lead role and she takes it with both hands and really goes to down. Brimming with energy, she is a delight and I hope that she will be given more opportunities (but not given duff rom-com scripts like Sandra Bullock got dealt). She is very easy on the eye and you find yourself secretly rooting for her. Plus she creates a strong, rounded characters with all the flaws.
The other surprise is Harrison Ford. He doesn't do comedy that much and so its a chance to see another side of the actor and he delivers in droves. His deadpan looks and dry delivery works wonders, and with some nice banter between him and MacAdams as well as Diane Keaton, the co-anchor, this is definitely a side to Ford that should be on show more often.
Brit director Roger Mitchell allows his actors room to develop the roles and even the supporting cast shine through, particularly Matt Malloy, who plays a hammy weather man given some very challenging missions that prove some of the bigger laughs. Aline Brosh McKenna's script is full of nice touches as well as some genuinely funny lines and it's a pleasant surprise to find Star Trek director J.J. Abrams as a producer.
If you are looking for a perfect date movie, then look no further. This is a film that will appeal to both men and women and while it does have its weaknesses, the love story between MacAdams and feature producer Patrick Wilson seems tacked on, it can be forgiven as it is such a joyful film that will bring a smile to your face. Also, it's the best thing that Ford has done in a very long time.
No comments:
Post a Comment