This political comedy, “Ella McCay,” finds itself struggling to resonate with audiences.
Emma Mackey shines as the charming titular character, but the film’s opening moments reveal a disheartening message from the narrator, Julie Kavner, who declares, “I’m nuts about her.” This sentiment only serves to dampen the experience and leave viewers feeling uneasy.
Directed by James L. Brooks, known for his affection towards his characters, the film faces challenges as its charm wears thin. This has been a recurring issue for Brooks, who has delivered similar narratives since before the rise of streaming services. His prior accolades, such as Oscars for “Terms of Endearment” and “Broadcast News,” now seem overshadowed by a lack of creative growth. The film falls into the trap of trying to avoid offending anyone, which ultimately stirs frustration rather than engagement.
In “Ella McCay,” Mackey plays a lieutenant governor who unexpectedly ascends to the role of governor after her predecessor, portrayed by Albert Brooks, leaves for a federal position. The story unfolds over a mere three days, during which Ella makes significant history.
Set in 2008, the film attempts to present a time when “we all still liked each other,” according to the narrator. However, this portrayal seems disconnected from reality, as the underlying racial tensions of the era are glossed over. While the setting provides a buffer against contemporary issues of resentment, it also highlights the filmmaker’s struggle to evolve with the times.
Clocking in at 110 minutes, the film feels excessively lengthy. Flashbacks featuring a teenage version of Ella seem misplaced, and the subplot involving her agoraphobic brother, who finds a girlfriend rather than professional help, comes off as trivializing mental health challenges.
The pacing drags, with characters indulging in prolonged dialogues and Ella’s father’s new girlfriend inundating her with voice mails about forgiveness. Much like Ella, who exhausts her staff with lengthy meetings, Brooks appears unable to trim the excess dialogue, resulting in a sluggish narrative reminiscent of his earlier works.
While Mackey’s performance as Ella is underwhelming, the supporting cast, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Rebecca Hall, and Kumail Nanjiani, struggle to break free from the film’s limitations. The character of Ella’s husband, played by Jack Lowden, stands out as he descends into jealousy, undermining her success. Lowden’s portrayal is compelling enough to provoke sympathy for Saoirse Ronan, who is married to him in real life, although he is simply an adept actor.
Despite the film’s shortcomings, there is a redeeming moment when Ella skillfully navigates a scandal involving her husband, leveraging her position to enact meaningful legislation before stepping down. Brooks, however, fails to fully capitalize on this opportunity, opting instead to narrate rather than illustrate her triumphs.
If “Ella McCay” had embraced a more authentic portrayal of its lead character and delivered sharper humor, it could have transformed into the political comedy audiences were yearning for. Achieving this, however, likely necessitated a different director and possibly a fresh cast.
“Ella McCay” features Emma Mackey and Jamie Lee Curtis, written and directed by James L. Brooks. Rated PG-13.
