Morning Glory

Review by Sean Lynch

We've all suspected for quite some time now that the charming, cheeky Harrison Ford that we knew and loved from Indiana Jones and Star Wars was dead - but now, it's all but official judging by his latest grumpy-man turn in the fun, if not slightly disposable, Morning Glory.

Director Roger Michell ventures into the depths of the chipper, false smile world of Morning TV (you know the drill : Kochie, Kerri Anne, Heeeeeere's Moira) with this new romantic comedy starring the unfairly cute Rachel McAdams, the aforementioned Harrison Ford and the always eccentric Diane Keaton.

The flick kicks off when hard working TV producer Becky Fuller (McAdams) is fired from a dodgy local news program, and her career begins to look as bleak as her non-existent love life.

However it isn't long until she stumbles into a job at "Daybreak" (not before a fairly harsh "Get A Real Job" pebble of wisdom is delivered by her mum) where her sole job is to revitalise the ailing program show by bringing on legendary, serious journalist TV anchor Mike Pomeroy (Ford).

Imagine if Kerry O'Brien was roped in to doing The Morning Show and throwing to infomercials for The Flava Wave. You get the drift... it doesn't turn out pretty.

Without delay, Pomeroy refuses to cover morning show staples like celebrity gossip, weather, fashion and crafts – and is even more difficult when it comes to his new co-host, Colleen Peck (Keaton).

Cue frazzled looks, a blossoming love affair between Becky and a fellow producer and the eventual change of heart from the stone cold reporter.

While Morning Glory hardly must-see viewing it is a fairly fun and accurate portrayal of life inside the inner sanctum of TV, where ideas go to die and celebrity and ego rule.

What saves Morning Glory from being a completely throw-away-made-for-TV-movie is Rachael McAdams. She shines in a role which, in the wrong hands (those hands being Katherine Heigl, and believe me - it's EXACTLY the kind of character Heigl plays in each and every movie), should be completely unlikeable.

Yet, McAdams delivers her performance with such spark and vulnerable strength. She is truly adorable.

Ultimately Morning Glory works well, but sadly is never funny, romantic or insightful enough to ever really satisfy.

3.5 out of 5

Morning Glory
Australian release: 6th January, 2011
Official Site: Morning Glory
Cast: Rachel McAdams, Noah Bean, Jack Davidson, Vanessa Aspillaga, Jeff Hiller
Director: Roger Michell