I think those who came to this movie expecting a comedy were disappointed. I came to it expecting stellar performances by great lead performers. I found a good drama which met my expectations. This is more thinky than funny and it spends its capital on taking us on Katherine Newbury's journey back to herself and her humanity via the addition to her staff of an unwelcomed but intrepid fan. I liked this movie and give it a 7 (good) out of 10. {Drama}
293 Reviews
Enjoyable and Worth Watching
docm-3230427 October 2020
Yes, yes, yes...it's not Academy Award material...so what. If you want a charming comedy to escape some evening, this one will work. It is similar to "Morning Glory" but not a copy. Good characters and acting. It has its slow moments, but generally a good watch.
Not bad, but could've been better
cardsrock20 October 2019
I expected more from this given the talent involved. It's a pretty straightforward and predictable story, which can work given good comedic material to supplement that. Unfortunately, Late Night isn't terribly funny and relies on the same "woke" jokes over and over and over again. Emma Thompson, however, is terrific and definitely carries the film. Late Night has an interesting premise that just never feels fully capitalized on.
a Character Piece you don't see on late night tv.
lightheartedbeing11 September 2019
Emma Thompson is one of those actors that spans the range of roles, and makes every character real. This behind the scenes look at Late Night hosted by a successful now 56 year old woman had moments of humor, some social issues, Hollywood issues, and ends up deciding to do something different, be real. It does fall in the range of a good film, but not a great one, an enjoyable film not a laugh riot. The character is a driven woman who succeeded in a man's world, and the cuts of her hair, her pant suits, even how she behaves is very masculine, what women often do to succeed in a man's world. The character is layered and interesting as she walks through a kind of mid-life crisis, career and husband. It's more of a character piece, which I prefer anyway. A good evening's watch.
Not a bad watch...:)
battlebuckships7 September 2019
Watched Late Night. I did enjoy it. Not an amazing piece of writing, but overall an enjoyable film. I love Emma Thompson, Denis O'Hare and John Lithgow. "Amazing actors" I've enjoyed for years. The film has it funny, sad and happy times. If you choose to watch it, you will like this film as it carries well. I don't see me watching it again, but did enjoy it, and as always. I'll follow these 3 actors because they never stop giving us their very very best.
A nice night out
egdix15 June 2019
I am not sure where all the negative reviews are coming from, although I am not sure where all the 10's are coming from. I went to,the movies with my wife to see an adult movie. No superheroes, no CGI. This was a quaint little movie. The acting was fine. The story moved at a brisk pace and Emma Thompson was able to carry the movie as she was in most scenes.
Felt that I got my money's worth.
An eloquent feel good movie
FrenchEddieFelson30 August 2019
A feel-good movie with strong similarities with The Devil Wears Prada (2006) and Network (1976). Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson) is the host of a famous talk show. She has nevertheless rested on her laurels and has badly reacted to the gravis illness of her husband who is obviously the unique pillar of her life, even if she did not realize it yet. Because the talk show is now a shadow of its former self, Katherine needs now new blood to invigorate the texts prepared by her team of dialog writers. Until the improbable arrival of Molly (Mindy Kaling).
The pace is dynamic with excellent verbal jousts and the characters are rather well-built. 6/7 of 10
The pace is dynamic with excellent verbal jousts and the characters are rather well-built. 6/7 of 10
Funny, Charming, and inspirational
Rainbowbeany4 April 2019
I saw this movie yesterday and I loved it! Emma and Mindy are an amazing pair. It's a little reminiscent of Devil Wears Prada but in only the best of ways. Emma Thompson brings a vulnerability to her stern, straight laced character who is stuck in her own ways. Mindy's character gets hired to work for Emma's Late Night talk show to help get it back on track to avoid cancellation. Mindy is incredibly charming, sweet and very opinionated in her role. These two ladies knock it out of the park and will make you laugh and cry. It's not every day we get to see a team up like this. The story is passionate, the jokes are hilarious, and the emotions are sincere. I highly recommend, it was a good time at the movies.
Feel-good movie with great actors but focusing too much on giving messages
baharuka24 May 2020
Very watchable movie with great acting from all actors but even as a woman who cares deeply about equality, I felt obviously force-fed with equality and inclusion messages to the point it was absurd. The movie tried to tackle that with making jokes on itself but that didn't save it. It's already become a cliche: Female director or executive producer and female leads, and then comes loads and loads of messages...I think it's overdoing things. Instead, the script should have been more original and a little bit edgier, and the messages not so obvious or for the sake of giving messages. Still, a good watch!
Mildly pleasant
byron-1166 September 2019
Smart, funny, refreshing!
mdtrxwolf16 June 2019
Mindy Kaling did not disappoint with this one! I think this is an underrated film that a lot of people are just not ready to see. It really puts a mirror up to our society and ourselves, and we all know how uncomfortable that can get. Kaling hits on a lot of different issues from racism to ageism to gender disparity in a really clever and playful way, which helped to make the tone of the film rather light despite the seriousness of these issues. With all that aside, I believe the acting was superb, the pacing was rather smooth, and was genuinely thought provoking. If smart and witty comedy is your thing, this is definitely worth a watch!
Where's The Humor?
marcdowning10 July 2019
"Late Night" is enjoyable and funny.
SnobReviews9 September 2019
"Late Night" is a true crowd-pleasing comedy with tons of heart, great performances and sharp humour.
In this comedy, a late-night talk show host fears she may soon lose her long-running show.
Emma Thompson and Mindy Kaling shine in this timely workplace comedy that really showcases Kaling as a writer. I was entertained throughout and really surprised how enjoyable "Late Night" was. Emma Thompson is fantastic and fun, and Mindy Kaling delivers a sweet and honest performance. Overall a solid film that should get more recognition.
In this comedy, a late-night talk show host fears she may soon lose her long-running show.
Emma Thompson and Mindy Kaling shine in this timely workplace comedy that really showcases Kaling as a writer. I was entertained throughout and really surprised how enjoyable "Late Night" was. Emma Thompson is fantastic and fun, and Mindy Kaling delivers a sweet and honest performance. Overall a solid film that should get more recognition.
A smart comedy about comedy
LoganJEcclesLoganSmash7 September 2019
I wasn't overly excited about this film or anxiously waiting for its arrival but to say I wasn't fully watching every second of this charming movie and thoroughly enjoying would be a hideous lie. The cast & crew really made something special here through the emotional story or the great cohesiveness and chemistry of the cast. I have never been a die-hard fan of Mendy like most but if she keeps appearing in films like this she might turn me around yet. I mean she wasn't great in this movie, but this movie was great. From start to finish this story was smart, charming, funny, modern, and relatable. If you enjoy rich true comedy at its finest, you will enjoy this little film as much as I did.
good light film for the summer
blanche-227 June 2019
Emma Thompson and Nisha Ganatra star along with Hugh Dancy in "Late Night," an Amazon film from 2019.
Thompson plays the British host of an American late night show, a job she has had for 20-plus years. Lately - like in the last ten - the ratings have been slipping. Now in her fifties, Katharine Newberry is discovering that her acerbic wit and patricianism is no longer current. She doesn't really know anyone on her writing staff, some of which have been with the show for 27 years; none of them are allowed on the set; they're all men; the show has no social media presence. A shakeup is needed.
Newberry insists a woman be hired, and a young woman from a chemical lab, Molly Patel (Kaling) iwho wants to be a writer is brought into the hostile situation where she is not taken seriously. But her fresh approach and lack of boundaries impresses Newberry.
I actually thought this film would be better. It's good, a kind of feel-good film, with Mindy Kaling absolutely delightful as Molly, who hard-working, earnest, honest, talented, and has to develop a thick skin.
The role of Katherine was written for Emma Thompson; yet I'm not sure she was totally right for the role, at least the way she played it. She's a wonderful actress and gave us a highly-developed characterization, and it's not that she can't DO comedy, she can - but she doesn't quite come off as a comedienne. I can't explain it any better than that. I could almost see a real out there actress like Helena Bonham Carter or a real-life comedienne like Miranda Hart pulling it off better.
Enjoyable; I liked it better than Devil Wears Prada, which was so over-hyped that you thought you were seeing Citizen Kane.
Thompson plays the British host of an American late night show, a job she has had for 20-plus years. Lately - like in the last ten - the ratings have been slipping. Now in her fifties, Katharine Newberry is discovering that her acerbic wit and patricianism is no longer current. She doesn't really know anyone on her writing staff, some of which have been with the show for 27 years; none of them are allowed on the set; they're all men; the show has no social media presence. A shakeup is needed.
Newberry insists a woman be hired, and a young woman from a chemical lab, Molly Patel (Kaling) iwho wants to be a writer is brought into the hostile situation where she is not taken seriously. But her fresh approach and lack of boundaries impresses Newberry.
I actually thought this film would be better. It's good, a kind of feel-good film, with Mindy Kaling absolutely delightful as Molly, who hard-working, earnest, honest, talented, and has to develop a thick skin.
The role of Katherine was written for Emma Thompson; yet I'm not sure she was totally right for the role, at least the way she played it. She's a wonderful actress and gave us a highly-developed characterization, and it's not that she can't DO comedy, she can - but she doesn't quite come off as a comedienne. I can't explain it any better than that. I could almost see a real out there actress like Helena Bonham Carter or a real-life comedienne like Miranda Hart pulling it off better.
Enjoyable; I liked it better than Devil Wears Prada, which was so over-hyped that you thought you were seeing Citizen Kane.
Get over yourselves...
mharah14 July 2019
When Hollywood can finally get past being gaga (and no offense to Lady G herself) over Mindy Kaling, and when Mindy gets over her obsession with herself, perhaps we can see something worth looking at. Late Night is a watchable but rather overworked film (hard to say "comedy" - the audience only chuckled twice). It's a Lifetime movie pumped up for theaters. Wonderful actors - which probably saved it from going straight to DVD. Emma Thompson excellent. John Lithgow brilliant but wasted. (He could have phoned it in, but he didn't.) Many other stars in smaller roles who were VERY good but little to work with. (Watch for Luke Slattery - only two very slight scenes - but he made a LOT out of them .) Anyway, we get it. Mindy Kaling's Molly was a diversity hire who found a way to make it work for her. Mindy herself is at a caerer point where she needs to do the same. In Late Night, she is just relying on trite but cute. We've seen her do that before... too often.
Way better than it's rating
Eljefedejeffy24 September 2019
It's ok
petemackintosh18 February 2020
Humor-less Movie!
nikos_belitsis8 September 2019
I just finished watching this movie. I had seen the trailer and it initially intrigued me... But...The result was simply awful. I didn't laugh at all. I have to mention that I like Emma Thompson, but the script is so weak, there is no pace.
I think I have seen this type of movie hundreds of times.
If you ''must'' this movie, see it while you work on your laptop or you red your newspaper. If you miss 20 minutes or more, never mind. Nevertheless, nothing happens really.
Please, make better movies.
Made me laugh out loud
bottjena27 September 2019
Predictable but.. entertaining nonetheless.
malcori7 September 2019
It's good, funny and refreshing actually. It gives us the lighthearted perspective on serious topics. It is about an ill-tempered late night talk show host (Emma Thompson) who is in trouble of being fired due to low ratings in social media. But things changes when a first-time comedy writer (Mindy Kaling) enters into the office. She's actually the FIRST WOMAN WRITER EVER in writer's office and is clearly working from past experiences of a woman of colour working in a white male chemical plant (industry). Things start becoming good, reviews starting to become great, BUT they're still problems. The film's all about sorting things out.
Emma Thompson and Mindy Kaling were great and fun.
Emma Thompson and Mindy Kaling were great and fun.
Mostly a relationship story, pleasant if you are in the mood.
TxMike4 December 2019
My wife and I started watching this as an Amazon streaming movie. She only watched the first 20 minutes or so and had no desire to continue. But I finished it in two sittings and found it very enjoyable entertainment.
Emma Thompson is gruff, uncharismatic comedienne and late talk show host, Katherine Newbury. She has a team of white men writers. One day a different type is hired, Mindy Kaling (who wrote and produced) as Molly Patel who quit her job in a chemical plant to work in NYC.
Soon Katherine finds that the network has plans to replace her, the show and its humor has gone stale. But Molly is determined to salvage the show and her job, much of that depends on her getting Katherine to change her ways, and part of that is to eventually hire more diversity.
Yes, the script has some social commentary in it but does not beat you over the head with it. Basically, viewers who have a favorable impression of Thompson and Kaling will probably find this movie enjoyable and suitably entertaining. Nothing earthshaking, nothing much new, but overall well done.
It was also nice to see John Lithgow as Katherine's husband, Walter Lovell.
Emma Thompson is gruff, uncharismatic comedienne and late talk show host, Katherine Newbury. She has a team of white men writers. One day a different type is hired, Mindy Kaling (who wrote and produced) as Molly Patel who quit her job in a chemical plant to work in NYC.
Soon Katherine finds that the network has plans to replace her, the show and its humor has gone stale. But Molly is determined to salvage the show and her job, much of that depends on her getting Katherine to change her ways, and part of that is to eventually hire more diversity.
Yes, the script has some social commentary in it but does not beat you over the head with it. Basically, viewers who have a favorable impression of Thompson and Kaling will probably find this movie enjoyable and suitably entertaining. Nothing earthshaking, nothing much new, but overall well done.
It was also nice to see John Lithgow as Katherine's husband, Walter Lovell.
Watchable but a Real Dissapointment
Megan_Shida11 October 2019
This movie had everything to make a great movie and it just didn't get there. The characters were stereotypical and lacked depth, the writing ended up contrived and too focused on cheap pops about identity politics, and it really didn't have anything to say, after all. Great actors and a great story but the plot just wasn't there. I really wanted to love this movie but, instead, it provided just a 95 minute so-so experience.
A bit hit and miss...
ethanbresnett4 August 2021
Late Night has lots of good stuff, mainly any and all scenes with Mindy Kaling front and centre. Her character was funny, engaging, and easy to root for. A great performance from a brilliant comedic actress.
Emma Thompson on the other hand... I think she's a great actress, and performed the role well, however the character was such a chore. She was so intolerable and really was a bit of a vacuum when on screen. Her comedic value paled in comparison to Mindy Kaling's, which is such a shame. I saw what they were trying to do with the character but in my opinion they leaned into it far too much to the point of annoyance.
Despite this, I had fun watching this film. It has a solid plot, plenty of good comedy, some decent drama. Lots to enjoy but a few missed opportunities perhaps.
Emma Thompson on the other hand... I think she's a great actress, and performed the role well, however the character was such a chore. She was so intolerable and really was a bit of a vacuum when on screen. Her comedic value paled in comparison to Mindy Kaling's, which is such a shame. I saw what they were trying to do with the character but in my opinion they leaned into it far too much to the point of annoyance.
Despite this, I had fun watching this film. It has a solid plot, plenty of good comedy, some decent drama. Lots to enjoy but a few missed opportunities perhaps.
A Nice Surprise Entertaining film
tm-sheehan12 August 2019
My Review - Late Night 8/10
I really enjoyed Late Night , I read a few negative reviews comparing it to The Devil Wears Prada and there are a few similarities but so what? Pygmalion My Fair Lady and Pretty Woman have similarities but all are unique and so is Late Night in my view.
Emma Thompson a favourite Television and movie star of mine is a fine actress and a very versatile performer and excels in dramatic roles like The Children Act and Howard's End as well as classics like Sense and Sensibility and Love Actually also great character roles in Saving Mr Banks and the excellent recent series Years and Years, not to be missed.
Her role in Late Night as Katherine Newbury a longtime celebrity Talk Show host , who has lost her mojo and her ratings and her once top rating Late Night Show is threatened with cancellation if she doesn't improve her image and material.
Along comes Molly Patel played beautifully by Mindy Kaling ( also seen in Oceans 8 )who has no television comedy writing credentials but brings in a breath of fresh air to the male dominated white waspish comedy writer team and convinces Katharine, who is a tough nut to crack that she still has the goods to succeed with the right material .
Mindy Kaling also wrote the screenplay and it's very witty , funny and clever , yes a little predictable at times but intelligent. I guess that's why the chemistry between Emma Thompson and her is so good and the supporting cast , especially John Lithgow as Katherine 's husband and Hugh Dancy as Charlie Fain the cute comedian and chic magnet are terrific.
Director Nisha Ganatra has made an entertaining humorous film that touches on issues like ethnic and gender balance in the Television industry and the differences in perception of so called moral indiscretion that exists between men and women in the industry and the effect on their career.
It's not done in a heavy preachy way but it's very effective and very amusing, I really liked this movie.
I really enjoyed Late Night , I read a few negative reviews comparing it to The Devil Wears Prada and there are a few similarities but so what? Pygmalion My Fair Lady and Pretty Woman have similarities but all are unique and so is Late Night in my view.
Emma Thompson a favourite Television and movie star of mine is a fine actress and a very versatile performer and excels in dramatic roles like The Children Act and Howard's End as well as classics like Sense and Sensibility and Love Actually also great character roles in Saving Mr Banks and the excellent recent series Years and Years, not to be missed.
Her role in Late Night as Katherine Newbury a longtime celebrity Talk Show host , who has lost her mojo and her ratings and her once top rating Late Night Show is threatened with cancellation if she doesn't improve her image and material.
Along comes Molly Patel played beautifully by Mindy Kaling ( also seen in Oceans 8 )who has no television comedy writing credentials but brings in a breath of fresh air to the male dominated white waspish comedy writer team and convinces Katharine, who is a tough nut to crack that she still has the goods to succeed with the right material .
Mindy Kaling also wrote the screenplay and it's very witty , funny and clever , yes a little predictable at times but intelligent. I guess that's why the chemistry between Emma Thompson and her is so good and the supporting cast , especially John Lithgow as Katherine 's husband and Hugh Dancy as Charlie Fain the cute comedian and chic magnet are terrific.
Director Nisha Ganatra has made an entertaining humorous film that touches on issues like ethnic and gender balance in the Television industry and the differences in perception of so called moral indiscretion that exists between men and women in the industry and the effect on their career.
It's not done in a heavy preachy way but it's very effective and very amusing, I really liked this movie.
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