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6

MarkHReviewsJun 28, 2019

“Late Night” is smart, observant and, most importantly, it never forgets that it’s a comedy. In the hands of writer/actor Mindy Kaling (“The Office,” “The Mindy Project”), this film offers gentle critiques about race and gender, while never“Late Night” is smart, observant and, most importantly, it never forgets that it’s a comedy. In the hands of writer/actor Mindy Kaling (“The Office,” “The Mindy Project”), this film offers gentle critiques about race and gender, while never forgetting to keep us smiling.

By being in the right place at the right time, Molly Patel (Kaling) is hired as a new staff writer for late night host Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson). Newbury’s talk show has been running for 28 years, apparently coasting on fumes for the past decade or so. There’s the subtle implication that Newbury has had to swim upstream the whole time. In any event, told by a network executive that this year will be her last, Newbury stages a last-ditch effort to reclaim a relevant role in popular culture. (Apparently, booking Doris Kearns Goodwin and Diane Feinstein for erudite conversation is not the ratings bonanza of Kevin Hart on a Slip N’ Slide.) Creative tension, conflict and self-awareness ensue.

There’s a lot to like about this film. As the film’s co-star, Kaling is charming and appealing. As the film’s writer, Kaling is shrewd enough to recognize that this is Emma Thompson’s film and that sometimes she should just get out of the way. (From press reports, Kaling wrote the role specifically for Thompson, with no idea whether she was interested.) At times, Kaling’s script evokes “The Devil Wears Prada” with Meryl Streep in full flight. However, it’s when talk show host Newbury is interacting with her writers (totally white and male before Molly’s appearance) that the film seems most authentic. There’s an air of veracity to those interactions that gives moviegoers the impression that the screenwriter has pulled back the curtain and offered a glimpse of something very real. And while there are no real laugh-out-loud moments (“Booksmart” apparently cornered the market), the wry, observational tone of the script is ultimately quite satisfying.

That said, this film is not flawless. When a ninety-minute script relies on an epiphany or even a gradual increase in self-awareness, that evolution/transformation can strain credulity. In this regard, “Late Night” is not immune to a little eye-rolling. There also are a variety of loose ends that leave the show feeling incomplete. John Lithgow is fabulous as Newbury’s long-suffering husband, a role that could have been better-developed. Is Molly’s co-worker a real friend or a sexual opportunist? Is Kaling suggesting he could be both simultaneously? The film’s conclusion is particularly unfulfilling, suggesting an implausible culture shift that may cause world peace to break out any minute.

What ultimately makes “Late Night” worthwhile is its generosity of spirit. Kaling’s script is the platform for one of Thompson’s best performances, a symbiotic relationship that permeates many elements of the project and urges forgiveness for a few minor missteps along the way.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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4

dollywizJun 19, 2019

Very disappointing! I expected so much from this movie, mainly because of Emma Thompson. It's probably the weakest role I've seen this superb comedic and dramatic actress play. I thought the plot line and writing waspure drivel.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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5

chetlySep 13, 2019

Great acting but I feel the talent goes to waste. Some story lines never get resolved. The ending was not rewarding for me. So much potential but was ultimately a let down for me.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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0

ProteusJun 15, 2019

A heartfelt movie that takes boring and predictable to new levels. I guarantee you have heard every joke in this movie and can predict every scene outcome.

THIS is where Hollywood movies are today. Get some paint, put in on your bedroomA heartfelt movie that takes boring and predictable to new levels. I guarantee you have heard every joke in this movie and can predict every scene outcome.

THIS is where Hollywood movies are today. Get some paint, put in on your bedroom wall and watch it dry that will be more entertaining.… Expand

4 of 6 users found this helpful42

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0

fredphoeshApr 4, 2020

Most Boring Movie imaginable! Wow, what a rubbish movie. Utterly missing anything that resembles a script that works. I didn't care at all about the main driver, whether Katherine would keep her job. It mattered not. Conversations were aimedMost Boring Movie imaginable! Wow, what a rubbish movie. Utterly missing anything that resembles a script that works. I didn't care at all about the main driver, whether Katherine would keep her job. It mattered not. Conversations were aimed at the lowest possible mentality, completely void of spark, uniqueness, interest, ANYTHING. I'm astonished this movie gets more than one star from anyone who has a brain or who cares about movies. It's an insult to intelligence and offers the viewer precisely NOTHING.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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5

tropicAcesJun 13, 2019

A film that never really gets any laugh-out-loud moments but does earn consistent smirks. Its issue is not the incredible Emma Thompson, it is the fact that (just like "Long Shot" a month ago), the film wears its agenda on its sleeve. NothingA film that never really gets any laugh-out-loud moments but does earn consistent smirks. Its issue is not the incredible Emma Thompson, it is the fact that (just like "Long Shot" a month ago), the film wears its agenda on its sleeve. Nothing inherently wrong with that, but some of the "look, we're woke!" jokes are cringe-worthy, and take away from some actual good social commentary bits.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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5

Compi24Jun 15, 2019

Mindy Kaling pulls double duty on "Late Night," both writing and co-starring in a purported passion project of hers that I found to be lacking in a surprising amount of just that -- passion. Her and Emma Thompson are agreeable enough asMindy Kaling pulls double duty on "Late Night," both writing and co-starring in a purported passion project of hers that I found to be lacking in a surprising amount of just that -- passion. Her and Emma Thompson are agreeable enough as leads, with decent chemistry propelling them through a few challenging scenes. Beyond that, though, I didn't get much else from this experience. It offers a stunningly paltry amount of substance or nuance to combat the already-dying "women aren't funny" fallacy, struggles mightily in adequately delivering any progressive ideals by falling over itself with some rather anti-progressive blips of content throughout, and introduces a number of romantic subplots that just didn't need to be there. I like the people involved a great deal, but I just didn't laugh nearly enough as I should have. So, for me, it's a disappointment.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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7

TVJerryJun 17, 2019

Emma Thompson stars as a legendary talk show host whose popularity and ratings are in decline. It an attempt to become more relevant, she hires Mindy Kaling to expand her all-male writing staff. The result is an entertaining comedy that alsoEmma Thompson stars as a legendary talk show host whose popularity and ratings are in decline. It an attempt to become more relevant, she hires Mindy Kaling to expand her all-male writing staff. The result is an entertaining comedy that also takes a stand on the current themes of diversity and female empowerment. It's delightful to watch Thompson's steely, (mostly) heartless tyrant rule the office and the screen. Kaling (who also wrote the screenplay) creates a sweet, yet determined character with fewer laffs. While this film is completely formulaic and more amusing than funny, its spunky attitude and frank statements provide plenty to enjoy.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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9

Davrosdaleks1Jun 16, 2019

Late Night is about a first-time comedy writer (played by Mindy Kaling) for a long-running and ill-tempered late night talk show host (played by Emma Thomspon) who is in danger of being fired due to low ratings. I thought this might be a funLate Night is about a first-time comedy writer (played by Mindy Kaling) for a long-running and ill-tempered late night talk show host (played by Emma Thomspon) who is in danger of being fired due to low ratings. I thought this might be a fun time. I generally like Mindy Kaling. However, I was still surprised at how well handled this was.

The movie is an involving critique of the television industry. Kaling, who also wrote this, is clearly working from past experiences of a woman of color working in a white male industry. The message and plot are told in a smart, natural, and playful way. Yeah, the whole follows the ol' bright-eyed-newcomer warms the heart of the experienced curmudgeon trope, but the movie does such a fine job, that it didn't matter much.

Mindy does a fine job of being being bubbly and optimistic while also handling the character's low points well. However, this is Thompson's film. She is acting her butt off here. Yeah, the story does ham it up a bit in regards to her apathy and biting remarks toward her writing staff, but Thompson makes the character work. You end up understanding her and feel for her by the end.

This is one of those rare films where almost the entire supporting and ancillary cast and characters just work. Most personalities, even for the more minor members of Thompson's writing staff are well-crafted. I simply don't have time to credit all the actors in this.

For a comedy the movie isn't brightly shot, which is often the norm. However, this does kind of accentuate the New York setting and real world roots of the subject manner.

Overall, temper your expectations about plot originality, but still expect to be entertained.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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8

BHBarryJun 16, 2019

"Late Night" stars Emma Thompson, John Lithgow, Mindy Kaling and a
host of other supporting actors in this film whose screenplay was written by
Ms. Kaling ("The Office", "The Mindy Project") and directed by a very talented Nisha Ganatra. Well"Late Night" stars Emma Thompson, John Lithgow, Mindy Kaling and a
host of other supporting actors in this film whose screenplay was written by
Ms. Kaling ("The Office", "The Mindy Project") and directed by a very
talented Nisha Ganatra. Well paced and equally well written Ms.
Thompson brings to the role a broad spectrum of drama and comedy as
she portrays a late night talk show host facing personal and professional
issues as she is aided and abetted by Ms. Kaling's character. I give the film an 8 and recommend it for a rare and enjoyable movie experience not
available to the viewing audiences during these past few months.… Expand

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

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8

GinaKJun 19, 2019

Although this was a vehicle for Emma Thompson and had an obvious feminist message, Talk Show was only very mildly preachy and the acting (male and female) was first-rate, which made up for the sermonizing. This film could have gone badly inAlthough this was a vehicle for Emma Thompson and had an obvious feminist message, Talk Show was only very mildly preachy and the acting (male and female) was first-rate, which made up for the sermonizing. This film could have gone badly in many ways, but Emma Thompson, Mindy Kaling, John Lithgow, and Hugh Dancy kept things serious, light, and human, all at the same time – a neat trick. My one complaint was that I felt the film was a bit too long, and would have worked much better and still made its point with some judicious trimming.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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8

Brent_MarchantJun 21, 2019

What a treat it is to see a smartly written, intelligent, genuinely funny comedy these days, one that isn't afraid to poke some major holes in the types of vehicles that claim to be funny but truly aren't. While the film could use a littleWhat a treat it is to see a smartly written, intelligent, genuinely funny comedy these days, one that isn't afraid to poke some major holes in the types of vehicles that claim to be funny but truly aren't. While the film could use a little more development in certain parts of the back story, and while some elements are a little too predictable, this otherwise-spot-on tale delivers huge, often-scathing laughs and does so without necessarily having to rely only on one-liners. Mindy Kaling, John Lithgow and (especially) Emma Thompson serve up fine performances in a story that plays like "The Devil Wears Prada" meets the TV comedy biz. And BTW, pay no attention to the trailer for this one -- it really doesn't do the film justice.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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1

PisoJun 27, 2019

Preachy unfunny tripe. Avoid unless you love wallowing in gender politics.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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2

Stevenw4Aug 30, 2019

I love me some Mindy but this movie really disappoints in the humor department. Mindy is waaaaay funnier and wittier than what she has contributed to this movie. Seriously, stay home guys and binge The Mindy Project on Netflix or hulu orI love me some Mindy but this movie really disappoints in the humor department. Mindy is waaaaay funnier and wittier than what she has contributed to this movie. Seriously, stay home guys and binge The Mindy Project on Netflix or hulu or whatever streaming network she's on. Now that show is the bomb.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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10

wbkalthFeb 22, 2021

I loved the talented cast. The reverse me too movement was great. It reminded me of real life. It was one of the best films I have seen in a long time.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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4

LamontRaymondJul 14, 2019

Ugh! This movie is criminally overrated. It's both over-written and under-written, I feel. I've never seen any of Mindy Kailing's work before, but I sense that she can be a good actress in a better vehicle than this one. It starts out inUgh! This movie is criminally overrated. It's both over-written and under-written, I feel. I've never seen any of Mindy Kailing's work before, but I sense that she can be a good actress in a better vehicle than this one. It starts out in promising fashion, but it goes absolutely nowhere. The ending is TERRIBLE. Emma Thompson's story arc is entirely insufficient. You certainly don't like her any more than you did at the beginning. I'm sensing that in the industry bubble this worked much better than it did with regular movie-goers like me. Bringing politics into late-night really killed the appeal of these shows, and it seems like the creators of this film never got that message. People don't want to obsess about politics all day and they get it fed to them during their "entertainment" at night. Oh well.… Expand