Late Night Movie Review: Smart Laughs, Predictable Emotions
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
When veteran late-night show host Katherine Newbury (Dame Emma Thompson) is given an ultimatum by her network president due to declining ratings, she shakes up her writing staff, hiring a woman for the first time. But new recruit Molly Patel (Mindy Kaling) has never worked in television; in fact, she was employed at a chemical plant before a stroke of luck landed her the dream job of working with her idol, Katherine. But can the so-called “diversity hire” hold her own in an all-male writers’ room and help revive the legendary talk show host’s dwindling career?
Directed by Nisha Ganatra and written by Mindy Kaling, the 2019 comedy Late Night feels like an attempt to create something as iconic as The Devil Wears Prada. In Late Night, a team of writers struggles to keep up with their perfectionist boss’ demands to revamp her talk show, especially newcomer Molly Patel, who isn’t used to ruthless leaders who refer to their staff by serial numbers because remembering names is too much trouble.
While Emma Thompson is perfectly cast as the sharp, cynical British comedian Katherine Newbury, Mindy Kaling’s portrayal of the optimistic Molly Patel pales in comparison to the veteran actor’s effortless charm. When Kaling cries onscreen, you feel sorry for yourself for having to endure the awkward performance, which is akin to watching a middle-schooler fake sob after losing a board game. Mindy is the only casting misfire in the movie, while the rest, especially the white male writers in the writers’ room, ace their parts.
For a movie centered around a talk show host and comedian, Late Night is consistently funny, credit to Mindy Kaling for that (despite her dubious acting skills). Molly Patel’s lack of knowledge about how tv shows work is pretty funny, especially her shock at the fact that most writers rarely get to visit the studio where the recording takes place. Katherine’s funniest moments stem from her disconnect with social media and Gen Z lingo, or her bafflement at their obsession with influencers famous for sniffing their pet’s butts.
Late Night also includes some fun cameos from famous comedians and stars, making it even more enjoyable for those who catch the Easter eggs. While the writing relies on clichéd emotional tropes to create predictable highs and lows, the film remains an entertaining one-time watch, thanks largely to Emma Thompson’s standout performance.
Rating: 3 on 5. You can watch ‘Late Night’ on Netflix.
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