Morning Glory

Movie review by S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media
Morning Glory Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

Workplace comedy is winning but predictable; OK for teens.

PG-13 2010 107 minutes
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Parents say

age 15+

Based on 8 reviews

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 14 reviews

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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 this workplace comedy -- which co-stars Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, and Diane Keaton -- is formulaic, but it's also surprisingly earnest and full of heart. Though some of the characters are self-centered and surly, the movie ultimately has positive messages about the value of hard work and authenticity. Expect some making out and a few sexual innuendoes, a fair bit of swearing (including "f--k"), some drinking and cigar smoking, and disheartening bitterness from some of the more hardened characters.

Community Reviews

McSplash88
McSplash88 Adult
February 12, 2022
age 18+

This title has:

Great role models
Al1976
Al1976 Adult
August 30, 2020
age 16+

Like it....

My first review. This seems to be a low budget movie. Rachel saves the movie, she was at the brink of overdoing it however she managed to keep her role under control. She was just Rachel, explosive, quick and beautiful. She was convincing as usual. Harrison Ford really overdid his role. Anyone could replace him and nobody would notice the difference. Making him more of a sarcastic person than a depressed old man would have helped the comedy part of the movie. His mood in the movie was contagious and it was supposed to be a comedy. Diane Keaton was not given a chance. Her role was too secondary. She was used to attract attention. That was a waste of huge talent. They should rewrite the script. Harrison has a program however remains as lonely as he was before, Diane had nothing going for her and Rachel made a big decision that half of the audience may think was a sample of poor judgement. I believe the scrip killed the movie.
See all 8 parent reviews

What's the Story?

After being laid off from her job at a middling New Jersey TV show, Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams) throws herself into the job search, finally landing a position as a producer for fourth-ranked morning news show Daybreak. The opportunity kickstarts the can-do attitude that has always fueled her. Sadly, not everyone at the network shares Becky's zeal. Daybreak's ratings are in the Dumpster, and, amazingly, can sink even further. It doesn't help that morale is low, ideas are unoriginal, and veteran co-anchor Colleen Peck (Diane Keaton) is frustrated. A brilliant idea to hire iconic newsman Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford) to join Colleen may be Daybreak's ticket out of the ratings gutter. But Becky's new love interest (Patrick Wilson) says that Mike is the "third-worst person in the world." Can Becky make it work?

Is It Any Good?

It takes a special kind of actress to make a fairly formulaic movie -- which invites comparisons to the now-classic Broadcast News but can't possibly outdo it -- surprisingly appealing. And that person is Rachel McAdams. She attacks the role of Becky with such authenticity and emotion that we buy her, predictable banter and all. She gives this otherwise-nearly forgettable film soul and carries her weight against the delightful Keaton (who's underused) and memorable Ford (whose character is underexplored). Even Wilson as the token love interest and Jeff Goldblum as Becky's sarcastic network boss have spark.

Too bad, then, that they're all underserved by a story that captures only the typical talking points of any movie that goes behind the scenes of network TV. (Surely, there must be more material to mine than bickering co-hosts and ratings anxiety.) Nevertheless, MORNING GLORY is entertaining, thanks in part to director Roger Michell's peppy pacing and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna's engaging dialogue (she also penned The Devil Wears Prada). Morning Glory is no Network, no Broadcast News, but for McAdams, it's further proof of her impressive talent.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the movie's messages about the media itself. What is it saying about the importance of entertainment vs. news? What about morning shows?

  • Is Becky a positive role model? Why or why not? What about the other characters?

  • What keeps Becky going despite all of the setbacks she encounters? Does her attitude work for her?

Movie Details

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