Late Night
Late Night is written by Mindy Kaling and stars herself and Emma Thompson. Thompson plays late-night host Katherine Newbury as the first-ever longest-running female host of a network talk show. Kaling plays Molly Patel, a first-time comedy writer that joins Katherine's team. The film is built on Kaling's experience as a television writer, producer, and actor. Late Night follows two women who are devoted to their professional careers set in the tone of a New York romantic comedy.
Newbury has been on the air for over 28 years but is not facing a crisis as she enters a new age of comedy and television that she can't keep up with. Her ratings have been sliding for over a decade and the new network president tells her that her current year will be her last and she will be replaced. A stand up male performer is suspected to be her replacement which makes her determined to hold onto her job. She does something she's is never done. She meets her writers.
Newbury remains distant from the people that write her material. They don't know one another on a friendly level everyone is scared of her and only tells her what she wants to hear. She calls on the writers to come up with new material for her that will boost ratings and save her job.
The writer's room is filled with all-white and all-males with ivy league degrees. Newbury doesn't remember their names and instead calls them by number. Newbury orders her producer to find a woman to hire for the staff and in walks Molly Patel.
Molly loves Newbury and is a fan since childhood but has no background in comedy. She has had no experience in a writer's room and her previous job before this was at a chemical plant.
The movie explores the relationship of the upbeat Molly and the complex Katherine who only shows a humanized side with her husband. Molly offers Katherine some criticism of her bits in which Katherine responds in approval.
Late Night is a film with a heart and a message for inclusion in comedy. The film is mostly about Katherine and shines the light on women in comedy. Katherine has fought to get to where she is and is now feeling lost and it is up to Molly to help her find her way. Emma Thompson is perfect in this role that was specifically written for her. She is not the most likable character but is cool and compelling to watch onscreen opposite, Mindy Kaling. Thompson nails every punchline.
The film is full of vibrant energy that keeps it moving. It makes a workplace feel fun and shows that those around you can help push you into your next big thing. It tells audiences to not let people get to you and not to give up. Once you make it through the door there is so much more work to get through and it can't be done if you listen to others put you down.