Ella McCay

Synopsis: At 34 years old, Ella McCay becomes the governor of the state she was born and raised in. However, navigating relationships with her husband, father and brother may just be her biggest challenge yet.

Movie Review: 

"Ella McCay" is directed by James L. Brooks, presenting an original comedy that aims to be funny, uplifting, charming, and delightful, but unfortunately, it falls short on all counts. This film is a missed opportunity, featuring a poor script, exaggerated performances from talented actors, and a storyline that is both boring and dull, ultimately leading to a pointless conclusion. It ranks among the worst films I've seen this year. Emma Mackey portrays Ella McCay, a 34-year-old woman who becomes the youngest governor of her state. She delivers a charming, sweet, and cute performance, showcasing her intelligence and determination, making her a great character who aspires to change the world. Jamie Lee Curtis plays Ella’s Aunt Helen McCay, who steals the spotlight with some of the funniest lines and moments, embodying the heart of the movie. Beyond that, the film desperately attempts to be humorous but fails with outdated silly humor and over-the-top acting reminiscent of a bad sitcom, which made me roll my eyes; it was painful to watch. Jack Lowden plays Ryan Newell, Ella’s wife, and despite being a fan of his previous work, I found him terrible in this film. His cheesy acting and the character's unpleasant personality made him unbearable to watch. Even with a talented cast that includes Woody Harrelson, Spike Fern, Ayo Edebiri, Albert Brooks, Rebecca, and Kumail Nanjiani, who all try to deliver decent performances, they are let down by their characters and multiple subplots that lead nowhere, resulting in disappointment. My biggest issue with this movie is the awful script, which has nothing meaningful to say politically and feels like a Hollywood fantasy suggesting that hard work leads to success. "Ella McCay" is an unfunny comedy about a quirky family trying too hard to love each other, and it was just terrible. I wouldn't recommend watching this movie. I'm giving it a 1.5 out of 5 stars.

Director: James L.Brooks 

Cast: Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Lowden, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Edebiri, Julie Kavner, Spike Fern, Rebecca Hall, With Albert Brooks and Woody Harrison 

Runtime: 115 Minutes