Late Night

Late Night is a 2019 comedy-drama movie directed by Nisha Ganatra from a screenplay by lead actress Mindy Kaling. The film captures the dynamics and backstage antics of the world of late-night television comedy and features a sincere subplot paralleling the world's changing social and cultural landscape. A well-honed take on corporate culture with a female-centric perspective, the movie blends elements of comedy, drama, and social commentary.

In Late Night, Emma Thompson stars as Katherine Newbury, a hard-nosed British talk show host who has been entertaining viewers on her late-night show for over three decades. However, despite her long tenure, her talk-show is on the brink of cancellation due to declining ratings. Katherine haven't been up-to-date with her content, and has slowly become detached from her audience. She is then accused of being a "woman who hates women" because she has never hired a female writer for her show.

Enter Molly Patel (Mindy Kaling), an aspiring comedian who works at a chemical plant. When Katherine’s show starts losing its steam and needs a new perspective, Molly, despite not having any experience in the comedy arena to talk of, lands a job as a writer on Katherine's all-male writing team. Molly's first intention is to bring offbeat hilarity into Katherine's old-fashioned late-night show, to help revive the show's dwindling revenues and save her hero Katherine Newbury from being replaced.

Thompson plays Katherine Newbury, showcasing an array of nuanced performances that flit effortlessly between biting humor and tear-jerking moments of vulnerability. Her adept portrayal of the character delivers a convincingly flawed woman in command, who comes to terms with her mistakes, making the character as relatable as she is unique.

Kaling's character, Molly, is perpetually optimistic and brings a fresh wave of energy into the stale, all-male writers' room. Despite the workplace dynamics, Molly is determined to make a difference. Mindy, who wrote the screenplay, was unafraid to tap into her real-life experiences for the film, making Patricia's experiences feel all the more real and relatable.

The celebrated actor John Lithgow plays the role of Katherine's husband, Walter Lovell. He serves as Katherine's emotional support, as she grapples with the show's existential crisis. Lithgow delivers a memorable performance, despite having a smaller role relative to the other characters.

With a predominantly white and male crew, Molly's entry into the fold ignites a set of conflicts and power tussles, which cleverly lay the groundwork for the film's key overarching theme of diversity and acceptance in the workplace. 'Late Night' doesn’t shy away from directly addressing issues regarding gender biases and diversity within the entertainment industry.

Late Night is an irresistibly charming fusion of comedy and drama, with an ever-topical message presented through a fresh and enchanting story. It touches on the struggles that women face in their professional lives, deftly weaving in themes of humor, ambition, friendships and empowerment. It’s a testament to how cultural diversity and inclusivity can bring a fresh and needed perspective to many operations.

Filled with whip-smart dialogue and earnest performances, Late Night is a behind-the-scenes look at the high stakes world of talk show TV. It's a film that offers a redemptive arc without downplaying the challenges. Overall, Late Night is a sharply observed, laughter-laden look at the world of late-night television that will leave viewers feeling enlightened and entertained in equal measure, without ever losing sight of its aim to incite change in an industry notorious for its resistance to it.

In the end, regardless of whether or not audiences are familiar with how the television industry operates, Late Night offers a compassionate and compelling view into the lives of two very different women who come together to breathe new life into a failing show and, ultimately, each other.