After a 15 year gap, I was not expecting another film from 75 year old James L. Brooks, but here it is. Emma Mackey takes the title role, an idealistic 34 year old lieutenant governor who juggles familial issues and a challenging work life while preparing to take over the job of her mentor, the state’s long time incumbent governor.
I feel this is a very old fashioned movie, and I mean that as a compliment. It is very deliberately set in 2008, when, as the voiceover says “we still liked each other”. I am not sure that is strictly true but it was a time when politics was not as polarised and someone like Ella could forge a successful career. It is also, the sort of mid budget, insightful film for grown ups that you almost don’t get anymore, apart from maybe on streaming services.
The general critical reaction to Ella McCay has been unfavourable and I can see the faults, particularly with an unnecessary subplot about Ella’s brother’s love life and maybe one too many flashbacks. But I had a great time watching it and there are terrific performances from Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis as her aunt, Albert Brooks as the previous governor and especially Julie Kavner as Ella’s assistant.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10