Ella McCay promised to be a heartfelt message of love and family, but it somehow turned into a diabolical farce.
Connected by the emotional tourments of childhood neglect, dysfunctional families and loveless marriages, Ella McCay is a strangely sentimental yet puzzling watch.
The story follows the titular character of Ella McCay, played by Emma Mackey (Sex Education), who transitions abruptly from being lieutenant governor to governor of an unnamed state back in 2008. Her journey up the political ladder is soon plagued by the personal travesties of those closest to her.
Written and directed by James L. Brooks (The Simpsons, The Mary Tyler Moore Show), the movie stars Hollywood heavyweights like Academy Award winner Jamie Lee Curtis and Woody Harrelson. In many ways, if it weren’t for the acting talent on screen, Ella McCay would have been a resounding mess.
With fast-tracked plots, messy storylines, and somewhat confusing circumstances, the movie felt rushed and poorly edited without any substance.
From a viewer’s perspective, the movie would have made more sense had it focused more on the storyline of Ella’s Marriage to Ryan, played by Jack Lowden. His narcissistic values and selfishness made for a more intriguing watch, and definitely more interesting than Ella’s brother trying to piece together a relationship with his ex-girlfriend.
Curtis provided the voice of reason, and as with most roles she plays, was a standout among the crowd. Her character, Ella’s aunt Helen, provided comic relief when needed, and it was definitely needed, as well as the aunt that everyone longed to have.
The movie is beautifully acted, and is very charming in various aspects, but its confusing editing has made for a difficult watch. Its derelict attention to political accuracy is more than noticeable, and in more scenes than not, its scenarios were unbelievable.
Despite this, it is a movie centred around grief and love, and is a movie that families around the world can relate to. There were moments that pulled on the heartstrings, and there were times that made the audience laugh. It will no doubt become a comfort movie, not because of its cinematic excellence, but because everyone loves a happy ending.
