Certificate – 15
Directed By – Nisha Ganatra
Starring – Emma Thompson, Mindy Kaling, John Lithgow, Ike Barinholtz, Reid Scott, Amy Ryan.
Running Time – 102 Minutes (1 Hour 42 Minutes)
I saw Late Night at the FDA showcase screening after what could be the dullest film I’ve seen in a very long time in Sometimes Always Never and more annoyingly gave the wonderful Bill Nighy a bad performance.
So honestly, Late Night was always going to be better and entertaining then the life I lost previously.
What Is Late Night About?
When legendary late-night talk show host Katherine Newbury (Thompson) finds out her show is on the chopping block following years of declining ratings. Katherine’s world is turned upside down when hires her first ever female staff writer, Molly Patel (Kaling).
Is It Any Good?
Was Late Night the laugh-out comedy the trailers and I hoped it would be? No.
However, the thing that works terrifically well is the Dame to everyone, Thompson is utterly fantastic whose performance carries the whole film.
Honestly, I’d happily watch an actual talk-show if Thompson hosted it.
Kaling, who is taking some personal experience into this film, is fine and delivers some funny lines, but sadly never a proper belly-laugh.
What I did like from the veteran TV comedy writer making her feature-writing debut is that she was able to make all the wokeness (glass ceiling, misogyny and the need for diversity) never felt preachy.
Anything Bad About This Film?
Nothing major, it just felt like it had similar beats and plot as The Devil Wears Prada.
Kaling’s Molly story never felt complete from her friendship with Newbury or her personal journey as well as sub-plots regarding her romance with certain characters.
There’s nothing special about this film or anything to hate. It’s simply a middle of the road film that will probably become a popular TV movie similar to TDWP and others.
Verdict
If you want to see this film, then Emma Thompson is the reason you’ll enjoy it in this entertaining but average flick.
The Bear Cave 