In the vein of romcoms like The Devil Wears Prada and 27 Dresses—you know, hardworking pretty girls working their asses off in the corporate world and knowing little about love—comes another predictable but utterly enjoyable one; this time round headed by a powerhouse cast that’s hard to resist. Never mind that it’s as formulaic as hell.
The affable Rachel McAdams (The Notebook) plays Becky, producer of a Jersey morning show, who is let go due to budget cutbacks and must find herself a new gig. That gig comes in the form of Daybreak, a humdrum morning show from New York that needs a new lease of life. Things are not going to be easy, obviously. The co-hosts consist of prissy malcontent Colleen Peck (a mostly funny Diane Keaton) and walking human resources nightmare Paul McVee (Ty Burrell, making the most of his few moments here). After one too many sexist comments at the staff meetings, Paul is let go, and Becky is tasked with finding his replacement. That replacement is former anchorman Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford, effortlessly deadpan), who would have to forfeit the remaining millions in his TV deal if he refused to join Daybreak. The grouchy, almost impenetrable Mike is the source of Becky’s madness as she continues to bring the ratings up while she juggles having a “proper” love life with former network golden boy Adam (Patrick Wilson).
While McAdams competently carries the film with her optimistic and sunshiny demeanor (perhaps overdoing it in parts, even), it is the veterans who steal the show. Keaton could have had even more screen time if her bitchy Colleen wasn’t such a caricature, so it is up to Ford to carry the show. The begrudging Mike is simply one of the most believable characters here, and Ford imbues the role with just the right dose of self-righteousness and vulnerability—watch out for the touching finale where Mike calls out for Becky via a cooking gesture. Plus, Ford and Keaton have great onscreen antichemistry— meaning they do an awesome job of being extremely uncomfortable next to each other—and are quite a hoot together, too.
Hardly perfect, Morning Glory is perhaps just another date movie, but sometimes, there’s nothing wrong with that if all you’re looking for is entertaining fluff.