Welcome to the new profile
We're still working on updating some profile features. To see the badges, ratings breakdowns, and polls for this profile, please go to the previous version.
Reviews4
dropo59tx's rating
I think I'm the first to remark on this, but I'm sure it will become the standard line on Morning Glory: it's a very close "instant remake" of writer Aline McKenna's Devil Wears Prada. There are enough mild twists in the film that that characterization is no "spoiler": you can tell as much from the trailer and initial write-ups. Career girl, unlucky in love, takes on an impossible job and spars with embittered industry legend. If you liked The Devil Wears Prada, you'll like this one (it's pleasantly acted and moves along briskly), but it will contain no surprises at all. And I'll also say this: for many reasons, the fashion industry was a much better setting for the story. The TV news business is inherently "important," so even if Harrison Ford as the crusty old anchorman is self-important, you aren't really conflicted about his values. But by contrast Meryl Streep's character in The Devil Wears Prada, immensely conceited about something that may or may not really "matter," had an interesting edge to it. You think more about Anne Hathaway's character and her decisions than about Rachel McAdams in Morning Glory and hers. Though that's partly the effect of having seen pretty much the same movie over again in Morning Glory.
Little Miss Sunshine is a good-natured comedy with some decent laughs. I don't see any dark side to it, unlike some other reviewers; it never really develops true seriousness. Yet it does manage to avoid cheap laughs and stock gags. The film it most reminded me of was National Lampoon's Vacation. Not exactly Keaton or Tati, but on the other hand, if you want to make a funny family comedy you can do a lot worse than to channel Vacation. Notable performances by Abigail Breslin and Alan Arkin, who are good individually and develop a lovely rapport. Also very good in the film is the running Proust-scholar business, which is exactly preposterous enough to be hilarious. Watch carefully for the vanity plates in the scene at the convenience store for an example.