Go back to bed, it's early...
The Story:
Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams) lives for the news. More specifically, she has dreamed of being the producer of The Today Show since she was a little girl. Doing her best at a local morning show in New Jersey, her life abruptly changes when she is canned due to budget cuts. She is desperate to get back in the game, and takes the plunge at the ratings challenged Daybreak show on IBS. Can she pull her series out of the ratings basement before it's too late?
This is a comedic gem of a movie. I absolutely love to watch it, and I make no apologies for that.
First and foremost, it's a comedy about the morning news programs.
Second, and wisely, there is a romantic comedy entanglement that plays second-fiddle to the first part of the story, which works great because in the real world, that's exactly what would happen.
Becky has an odd assortment of characters on her show to deal with. She opens her career with a bang by firing one co-host, leaving her other star (Diane Keaton) to wonder what's going on. Combing the archives, Becky realizes that she can get curmudgeonly anchorman Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford) on her show due to his contract.
Becky tries, but the ratings keep getting worse, and her boss (Jeff Goldblum) threatens cancellation. Becky pulls out all the stops... and amazingly the ratings begin to rise.
It's good fun throughout, and I can't help but think this is the best role that Harrison Ford has had in the movies in over a decade (Air Force One).
It's well written, believable, and funny. And when the weatherman (Matt Malloy) rides the roller coaster, I bust up laughing. Every time.
Currently available to stream instantly on Netflix as of this writing.
Final Grade: A-
Would I Own It: Yep, and I do. Very re-watchable.
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