Late Night

A feel-good movie with strong similarities with Le diable s'habille en Prada (2006) and Network : Main basse sur la TV (1976). Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson) is the host of a famous talk show. She has nevertheless rested on her laurels and has badly reacted to the gravis illness of her husband who is obviously the unique pillar of her life, even if she did not realize it yet. Because the talk show is now a shadow of its former self, Katherine needs now new blood to invigorate the texts prepared by her team of dialog writers. Until the improbable arrival of Molly (Mindy Kaling).

The pace is dynamic with excellent verbal jousts and the characters are rather well-built. 6/7 of 10

I think those who came to this movie expecting a comedy were disappointed. I came to it expecting stellar performances by great lead performers. I found a good drama which met my expectations. This is more thinky than funny and it spends its capital on taking us on Katherine Newbury's journey back to herself and her humanity via the addition to her staff of an unwelcomed but intrepid fan. I liked this movie and give it a 7 (good) out of 10. {Drama}

I am not sure where all the negative reviews are coming from, although I am not sure where all the 10's are coming from. I went to,the movies with my wife to see an adult movie. No superheroes, no CGI. This was a quaint little movie. The acting was fine. The story moved at a brisk pace and Emma Thompson was able to carry the movie as she was in most scenes. Felt that I got my money's worth.

Emma Thompson is one of those actors that spans the range of roles, and makes every character real. This behind the scenes look at Late Night hosted by a successful now 56 year old woman had moments of humor, some social issues, Hollywood issues, and ends up deciding to do something different, be real. It does fall in the range of a good film, but not a great one, an enjoyable film not a laugh riot. The character is a driven woman who succeeded in a man's world, and the cuts of her hair, her pant suits, even how she behaves is very masculine, what women often do to succeed in a man's world. The character is layered and interesting as she walks through a kind of mid-life crisis, career and husband. It's more of a character piece, which I prefer anyway. A good evening's watch.

I expected more from this given the talent involved. It's a pretty straightforward and predictable story, which can work given good comedic material to supplement that. Unfortunately, Late Night isn't terribly funny and relies on the same "woke" jokes over and over and over again. Emma Thompson, however, is terrific and definitely carries the film. Late Night has an interesting premise that just never feels fully capitalized on.