Ella McKay

 

         Legendary comic creator, James L. Brooks, who hasn't made a film in fifteen years returns as writer and director of this new comedy. Unfortunately its really not that funny. Yes, it has it's moments (which at times seem forced) but overall it's a bit of a mess.

         The film stars Emma Mackey as Ella, the lieutenant Governor of an unnamed state, who could be a direct descendant of Mary Richards (from The Mary Tyler Moore Show). Emma's energetic and assertive style does not sit well with many of her colleagues. She is married to her high school boyfriend, Ryan, played by Jack Lowden (so good in "Slow Horses" but miscast here).

          Also co-starring is Jamie Lee Curtis as Emma's Aunt Helen, Kumail Nanjiani as Trooper Nash (also miscast and wasted), Ayo Edebiri, in a two- scene cameo, Rebecca Hall as Emma's mom and Woody Harrelson as her dad (Ms. Hall wasted and Mr. Harrelson miscast), Spike Fearn as Emma's brother Casey (one of the better actors here), Julie Kavner as Emma's assistant Estelle, and Albert Brooks as Governor Bill Moore. Ms. Kavner and Mr. Brooks steal every scene they are in and are both national treasures.

          There are flashbacks that "de-age" the leads to explain much of the story in the present. The story itself, never feels real except for the relationship between Emma and her Aunt Helen. The film is nothing more that an elevated "Lifetime" movie and might be worth your time once it starts streaming (which will probably be sooner than later).