Ella McCay: Movie Review

Cast: Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Julie Kavner, Woody Harrelson, Albert Brooks, Jack Lowden, Kumail Nanjiani
Director: James L Brooks

Ella McCay is a film that likes its words.

But rather than revel in language and enjoy the witty uses of language, it's one that likes to saddle its characters with dialogue full of word salads and ways that people would hardly ever speak.

Supposedly wise beyond her years, the ever-brilliant Mackey's Ella McCay is on the cusp of greatness within the small town political world. A second-in-command to Governor Bill (a grounded and earnest Albert Brooks) she suddenly finds herself thrust into the top job after he's given a position within the Senate.

But as what should be Ella's pinnacle reaches its nadir, her estranged father (Harrelson) reappears, and a potential scandal involving her and her husband Ryan (Slow Horses star Lowden) emerges throwing her into crisis.

Ella McCay doesn't seem like it's sure of what it wants to be. Drowning in overly wordy dialogue with word salads falling from every characters' mouth, there's a distinct feeling of other worldliness here as characters speak in ways rarely witnessed by normal people.

As a result, the film seems at pains to keep its audience at arms' length as it pushes on with his Obama-hope-filled edges and tale of a sister reconnecting with her agoraphobia brother.

There are some tender moments within and Curtis' screentime with Mackey feels lived in and real, their disappointment at how family have treated them feeling realistic and natural- as opposed to every other bit of dialogue throughout this.

And Julie Kavner aka Marge Simpson is a brilliantly human presence as Ella's long-suffering PA, confidante and friend - and narrator of proceedings.

There's a nonsensical ending too which wraps up everything in an unwanted bow, but with such abruptness you'd get whiplash - if you were so invested.

Ultimately Ella McCay is a flailing film, one which talks about hope coming from trauma. Unfortunately, the trauma is so great here, the only real hope is that the movie will soon end.