Late Night
Published October 11, 2019
Film info
- Title Late Night
- Director Nisha Ganatra
- Year 2019
- Run time 1hr 41m
- Genres Comedy, Drama
- Tagline They're giving comedy a rewrite
Katherine Newbury is a pioneer and legendary host on the late-night talk-show circuit. When she's accused of being a woman who hates women, she puts affirmative action on the to-do list, and - presto! - Molly is hired as the one woman in Katherine's all-male writers' room. But Molly might be too little too late, as the formidable Katherine also faces the reality of low ratings and a network that wants to replace her. Molly, wanting to prove she's not simply a diversity hire who's disrupting the comfort of the brotherhood, is determined to help Katherine by revitalising her show and career - and possibly effect even bigger change at the same time.
Live blog
| Time | Comment |
|---|---|
| 1:55 | This is as far out as film concepts go - as if a woman would be allowed a late night talk show. |
| 4:47 | Are we supposed to be thinking she’s a bitch? Because I’m on board. |
| 8:14 | Oh god, I’m in love with everyone in this film. This is gonna be a long one. |
| 12:17 | “Comedy is the three and a half minute chunks of filler on TV between the commercials you sell.” |
| 19:34 | Can we have a TV show of just this writer’s room forever please. |
| 26:29 | I’d actually like to see the celebrity fitted sheet folding challenge, those things are impossible. |
| 36:32 | I mean, she’s right about not judging someone as stupid just because they make fluffy stuff. |
| 39:03 | “Just because I was lucky enough to get this job doesn’t mean I’m stupid enough to lose it.” |
| 51:31 | Incredible strength and morals. |
| 1:02:48 | She wearing Spice Girl shoes, are they back in fashion? |
| 1:04:11 | Knight does sound better than Dave. |
| 1:07:11 | I love random spaceman walking around in the back of shots. |
| 1:16:53 | Catharthasism. Interesting. |
| 1:18:13 | She just wants a hug and he’s walking around being an asshole… he can’t help it, he’s a comedian. Hilarious. |
| 1:30:31 | Those monologues are so important. |
| 1:31:07 | “Just give a damn.” |
Thoughts
LOVED THIS. Loved, loved, loved it.
From start to finish.
Emma Thompson is a hero and Mindy Kaling’s writing just shines. The pair of them work well together and it’s a joy to watch their relationship gradually soften and warm.
There are equality and diversity issues confronted throughout but it’s not simple in-your-face stuff. Even Thompson’s character is both a victim but also complicit in bias.
The film is warm and funny, hard in places, emotional in others, and ultimately a really good piece about growing, changing, adapting, working hard, fitting in, pushing the boundaries, learning from mistakes, and ultimately just doing your absolute best.
Rating: 5 / 5