SNAPSHOT
The film centers on Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson) a pioneer and legendary host on the late-night talk-show circuit. After she’s accused of being a “woman who hates women,” she hires Molly (Mindy Kaling), the one woman in Katherine’s all-male writers’ room. However, Molly might be too little too late, as the formidable Katherine also faces the reality of low ratings and a network that wants to replace her. Molly, wanting to prove she’s not simply a diversity hire who’s disrupting the comfort of the brotherhood, is determined to help Katherine by revitalizing her show and career—and possibly effect even bigger change at the same time.
In addition to starring, Kaling also wrote the screenplay. The film is directed by Nisha Ganatra (Transparent). Late Night also features an ensemble cast, including John Lithgow (Daddy’s Home 2), Hugh Dancy (Hannibal), Reid Scott (Veep), Denis O’Hare (American Horror Story) and Megalyn Echikunwoke (Arrow). Kaling produced with Howard Klein, alongside Imperative Entertainment and FilmNation Entertainment. (synopsis via Coming Soon)
I would quite happily watch Emma Thompson or Mindy Kaling do pretty much anything together – load a dishwasher, recite my grocery list, alphabetise types of pond algae – because they are so amazingly talented and great at what they do, that I can’t conceive of anything they do not being ridiculously entertaining.
Thankfully, while watching them stoically and yet theatrically engaged in household duties night be fun to watch, I would guarantee watching them in Late Night will be even more fun.
Bought by Amazon at the Sundance Film Festival this year for $13 million (US distribution), reported to be the most ever paid for those rights in the history, it benefits from a witty, clever script (Kaling is one of the most gifted comedy writers out there), beautifully-delivered performances and a fun but meaningful and that’s with just the trailer to go on.
But don’t just take my word for it – Anthony Kaufman from Screen Daily was pretty smitten after seeing the film in full at Sundance:
“With impeccable timing, both in its humor and topicality, writer-star Mindy Kaling (The Mindy Project) and director Nisha Ganatra (Transparent) have crafted a polished, accessible, and earnest mainstream comedy about the travails of women in the entertainment industry and the workplace.One of the most high-profile debuts of Sundance’s Premiere Section, Late Night has all the makings of a breakout independent feature …”
So there you have it! This is good, people, really good, and you have to see it when it opens 7 June in USA and UK and 25 July in Australia.