Morning Glory Parent Guide
Though "Morning Glory" will give a new appreciation for early morning television and the people who produce it, this comedy will likely leave some parents looking for another option.
Parent Movie Review
While most of us have tuned into a morning show, at least for weather or traffic reports, Morning Glory’s behind the camera look at a newsroom is both enlightening and engaging, especially if you’ve never been on set. And despite the extensive secondary cast of cameramen, sound techs and story editors, the film manages to develop well-rounded central characters, some who of become almost likable in spite of themselves.
In the story, Becky Fuller (Rachel Adams) has something to prove. After being let go from her job at a small time TV station, the perky but prattling program director shamelessly implores IBS News executive Jerry Barnes (Jeff Goldblum) to give her a chance to produce his company’s faltering morning television show. Lagging in a distant fourth spot behind NBC, ABC and CBS’s early news programs, Daybreak is dying a slow and painful death on air, thanks in part to the rift between hosts Colleen Peck (Diane Keaton) and Paul McVee (Ty Burrell).
Given the chance to do something about it, Becky fires the show’s sexually deviant co-host Paul during her first day on the job. But filling his seat isn’t so easy. With no budget to hire new talent, she has to scrounge through the reporters that are already under contract to IBS. Eventually she offers the position to the cantankerous, hard-nosed and pompous newsman Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford). He reluctantly concedes to accept the position only after she threatens him with legal action.
However just because he is in the anchor’s chair doesn’t mean he is happy about it. And his less-than-charming personality only adds to the general despondency that afflicts his co-anchor and the rest of the crew who, unbeknownst to them, are about to lose their jobs. The company brass has given Becky a mere six weeks to turn the ratings around or face the show’s cancelation. Willing to do almost anything to prove her abilities, the young director pushes the on-camera talent out of their comfort zones—which results in a number of partially spoken sexual expletives by the weatherman (Matt Malloy).
And unfortunately that’s not the only dialogue to mar this movie. A well articulated sexual expletive, frequent swearing and moments of crass sexual innuendo also show up on screen. The needless content is an unwelcome addition in a film with a strong script and quality editing. Pitting the value of soft entertainment pieces against gritty, hard-hitting stories, the film also addresses the changing dynamics of broadcast news. Becky gains rating points by scoring a personal appearance by musician 50¢, while Mike bemoans the state of his career over drinks with renowned newsmen Bob Schieffer, Morley Safer and Chris Matthews who make cameo appearances.
But although Morning Glory will give audiences a new appreciation for early morning television and the people who produce it, this comedy will likely leave some parents looking for another option to tune into for their family’s viewing entertainment.
Directed by Roger Michell. Starring Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton. Running time: 106 minutes. Theatrical release November 10, 2010. Updated July 17, 2017
Morning Glory
Rating & Content Info
Why is Morning Glory rated PG-13? Morning Glory is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some sexual content including dialogue, language and brief drug references.
Violence: A man fires at birds with his rifle while hunting.
Sexual Content: Characters exchange banter that often includes crude sexual comments, crass anatomical references and a brief reference to prostitution. A couple passionately kisses while stumbling around a house and awkwardly undressing. A woman is seen in her shirt and panties. It is implied that they later engage in more sexual activity. A girl comments about a box of condoms she received from her coworkers. A man invites a girl to engage in his sexual fantasy.
Language: The script includes a strong sexual expletive along with the same word partially spoken on several occasions. Frequent profanities, some scatological slang and other vulgar terms are also used in the script.
Alcohol / Drug Use: Brief references are made to illegal drugs. A man comments about feeling suicidal while drinking. He later spends the evening bar hopping. Infrequent alcohol use is shown in social settings. A woman takes prescription pills on several occasions. A man smokes a cigar.
Page last updated July 17, 2017
Morning Glory Parents' Guide
What lifestyle sacrifices do early morning hosts have to make for their job? What impact does Becky’s job have on her relationships? What other characters’ family are affected and how?
Mike tells Becky that he has won Peabody, Pulitzer and Emmy awards. Why does Mike see the position on the morning show as a step back in his career? Why are many programs becoming more entertainment oriented? Are you more interested in soft or hard news stories?
Learn more about the history of African Rainsticks.
Home Video
The most recent home video release of Morning Glory movie is March 8, 2011. Here are some details…
Morning Glory releases to DVD and Blu-ray on March 8, 2011.with the following bonus extras:
- Commentary by Director Roger Michell and Writer Aline Brosh McKenna
Related home video titles:
The issues behind the scenes of other TV news shows are portrayed in the movies Groundhog Day, Swing Vote and Mad City. How far producers may go to win the ratings game is explored in Quiz Show.
Rachel McAdams’ resume includes a wide variety of characters including a bully in Mean Girls, a unscrupulous thief in Sherlock Holmes, a hostage victim in Red Eye, a young society girl in The Notebook and a troubled spouse in The Time Traveler’s Wife.
Patrick Wilson plays her character’s love interest in this film. His resume includes The A-Team, The Alamo and The Phantom of the Opera.