Late Night (2019)
Stars: Emma Thompson, Mindy Kaling, John Lithgow
Runtime: 102 minutes
Synopsis: A late night talk show host suspects that she may soon lose her long-running show.
Performances: 3/5
Screenplay: 2/5
Editing: 3/5
Cinematography: 3/5
Score/Soundtrack: 2/5
Verdict: In "Late Night", Emma Thompson plays Katherine Newbury, a cold and apathetic talk show host in decline who hires a new writer, played by Mindy Kaling, in a final attempt to save her career.
The film has a lot to say about diversity and representation in Hollywood, but unfortunately falls flat due to its predictable and extremely safe delivery. Written by Kaling herself, it follows a structure that never felt fresh in any way and in which the relationship between the two-dimensional characters and the growth they experience never feels organic in the slightest. The punchline of the jokes, much like the narrative, were pretty obvious and cliché. In the director's chair, Nisha Ganatra didn't add much spice to the film as its cinematography and score were far from impressive. Emma Thompson is the only actor who gave an interesting performance as the others range from bad to average.
"Late Night" had been on my radar ever since it premiered to wildly positive reviews at Sundance. In its defense, it's a movie that has something interesting to say but sadly doesn't do a great job at using the medium to deliver it. I was let down by it and probably won't remember it by the end of the year.
The film has a lot to say about diversity and representation in Hollywood, but unfortunately falls flat due to its predictable and extremely safe delivery. Written by Kaling herself, it follows a structure that never felt fresh in any way and in which the relationship between the two-dimensional characters and the growth they experience never feels organic in the slightest. The punchline of the jokes, much like the narrative, were pretty obvious and cliché. In the director's chair, Nisha Ganatra didn't add much spice to the film as its cinematography and score were far from impressive. Emma Thompson is the only actor who gave an interesting performance as the others range from bad to average.
"Late Night" had been on my radar ever since it premiered to wildly positive reviews at Sundance. In its defense, it's a movie that has something interesting to say but sadly doesn't do a great job at using the medium to deliver it. I was let down by it and probably won't remember it by the end of the year.
FINAL GRADE: 5/10
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