Midnight at the Magnolia
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Midnight at the Magnolia
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Midnight at the Magnolia is a 2020 romance featuring a Chicago morning radio team, best friends since childhood, who fake a romance in order to drum up ratings and take their show national. The material is family-friendly. Adults drink alcohol. A man and woman kiss.
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What's the Story?
In MIDNIGHT AT THE MAGNOLIA, when Maggie (Natalie Hall) and Jack (Evan Williams) are given the opportunity to take their local Chicago morning radio advice show national, they're willing to act out the fiction that they're romantically involved, even though as best friends forever, romance between the two seems impossible. Their parents, who co-own a failing jazz bar, have always thought they loved each other, so when the launch of the national show sets a publicized New Year's Eve party at their club, they're thrilled about drumming up new business and the prospect of their kids finally getting together as a couple. Maggie and Jack are the only ones struggling with the concept and the strain threatens even their friendship until Jack makes a grand gesture, as he realizes that, in fact, he does love Maggie.
Is It Any Good?
There are no surprises in Midnight at the Magnolia, and perhaps that's a strength of this calming, familiar, cliched but reassuring movie. People who belong together end up together is the message, and it's a heartening one in uncertain times. The filmmakers take advantage of an overused cliche familiar to romantic stories in which one party implausibly, cringe-inducingly announces to a crowd of mostly strangers his commitment to his estranged love. In this case, such a brazen act actually makes perfect sense and provides the film's only truly touching emotional moment, a pay-off some will no doubt find worth waiting for.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how two long-time best friends might fall in love. Do you think this is realistic? Why or why not?
Do you think it's okay to lie in order to get ahead professionally? Why or why not?
How does this compare to other romcoms you've seen? What's appealing about this genre?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: January 1, 2020
- Cast: Natalie Hall, Evan Williams, Alison Brooks, Susan Hamann, Victoria Maria, Peter Michael Dillon, Steve Cumyn
- Director: Max McGuire
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Romance
- Run time: 87 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 28, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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When Harry Met Sally
Wit- and charm-filled romantic-comedy classic.
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You've Got Mail
Predictable-but-sweet romantic comedy.
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Sleepless in Seattle
Romantic '90s fairy tale has some cursing, sex.
For kids who love romcoms
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