Film: As Indiana Jones, he's put the bad guys to flight with his whip; as Han Solo, he's raced through space; and in Blade Runner, he's hunted down replicants. But even in a pinstriped suit behind a news desk, Harrison Ford can strike fear into his peers, as Morning Glory proves in a most amusing way.
Actually, Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams) was hoping for an endorsement. But instead, the dedicated television producer unceremoniously ends up on the street and has to look for a new job. The breakfast show Daybreak offers Becky the perfect opportunity to show off her skills and get back on her feet. Because the show desperately needs to get out of a deadly ratings slump to avoid being cancelled. With the hiring of legendary TV anchorman Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford), that goal is to be achieved. Too bad Pomeroy hates any kind of light entertainment and shows this all too clearly to his co-host Colleen Peck (Diane Keaton) as well as to the viewers. But Becky doesn't admit defeat that easily; after all, it's not just the future of the show that's at stake here...
Notting Hill director Roger Mitchell has created a top-notch media comedy with Morning Glory. He is helped not only by the amusing script, penned by Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada, 27 Dresses). The great cast also contributes a considerable part to the fact that Morning Glory has become so worth seeing despite quite a few clichés and some rather flat gags. Mitchell has not only succeeded in casting the main roles aptly. Even minor supporting characters are able to entertain thanks to the good performances of Jeff Goldblum, John Pankow (known from the sitcom Crazy for You) or Patrick Wilson.
But the factor that makes this film so worth seeing is Harrison Ford. As former TV legend Mike Pomeroy, still mourning his former glory and expressing it with a permanently bad temper, Ford is once again at his best. Especially the quarrels between him and the dedicated Becky, who doesn't take Mike seriously because of her youthful age, but also the exchange of blows with the former beauty queen Colleen provide good laughs again and again. It is also nice that Diane Keaton after some embarrassing slips (From woman to woman, Mama`s Boy) is finally allowed to play her full comedic talent again.
As some very amusing dialogue has been put into the mouths of the actors and Mitchell`s staging also comes up with some very pretty gags, Morning Glory has become a real hit despite lacking originality and some minor hang-ups, which can be warmly recommended to every lover of entertaining old-school US comedy fare. Absolutely recommendable!
Picture + Sound: Thanks to the high detail sharpness and the strong colors, the image of the Blu-Ray can convince in almost all moments. The sound is also on a good level, but remains, as usual for a comedy, rather restrained and unspectacular.
Extras: Unfortunately, the Blu-Ray does not have much bonus material to offer. Besides a mere 48 seconds of cut scenes, there is only an audio commentary by director Roger Michell and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna. The commentary is a very enjoyable and informative conversation that is full of information and dry humor, making it well worth listening to.
Conclusion: Morning Glory is an old-fashioned comedy in the best sense of the word, scoring points for wordplay, charm, and most importantly, the fine cast. Technically, the Blu-Ray is on a good level, a commentary and a cut scene are just too meager extras for a current production. Nevertheless: definitely recommendable!
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