ELLA MCCAY -- Mom Movie

Review by Adam Donato

James L. Brooks is back in the director’s chair for the first time in fifteen years with Ella Mccay. It’s about a young woman’s political pursuit for the good of the people, while juggling the complicated loved ones in her life. Emma Mackey plays the title character and is surrounded by an ensemble of great names. The film opens between the Thanksgiving and Christmas rush of awards hopeful films so carving out a piece of the box office will be a tall task. Can Brooks recapture the magic of his earlier hits in his return?

While Ella McCay has a lot of bumps in the road, it’s an inoffensive dramedy with a good amount of laughs to get you through it. The strength of the movie also seems to be its biggest detriment. The film is trying to juggle many different storylines and few feel like they get fully fleshed out. That being said, throw enough darts and you’re more likely to hit something. Some of the storylines hit home and provide a lot of laughs, but the ones that don’t hit are dreadful. Specifically the husband and the brother. These characters weigh the film down like an anchor. They’re awkward, unreasonable, and just downright annoying. Everything really grinds to a halt when they're on screen.

Where the true value of the film lies is in its good hearted nature. Ella is such an endearing and likable character. She’s constantly trying to bite off more than she can chew, but for the best reasons. Mackey delivers a solid performance as the lead and has good chemistry with several costars. Jamie Lee Curtis and Albert Brooks being the standouts. This duo act as her parental figures throughout the film guiding her through the tribulations in her life. Julie Kavner is great as the narrator of the film and has several hilarious highlights. Kumail Nanjiani and especially Ayo Edibiri have little to nothing to do here. Not that they’re bad in the film, but they’re definitely the fat in the script. Woody Harrelson is surprisingly underutilized in the film especially since he’s so heavily featured in the marketing. Jack Lowden and especially Spike Fearn are terrible anchors weighing the film down. 

Ella McCay seems to already have its detractors, but it’s an overreaction. It’s a passable drama with some really good comedic bits throughout. The story is certainly scatterbrained, but there’s good intentions in the soul of the film. It’s not worth prioritizing in the theater, but there’s worse things to flip on while streaming. Maybe the best days of Brooks are behind him. 

Ella McCay is in theaters on December 12.

Rating: 3/5