Director: Nisha Ganatra
Starring: Emma Thompson, Paul Walter Hauser and Amy Ryan
‘A Captivating Comedy’
Not many actors have made movies audiences treasure like Paul Walter Hauser. Ever since his rise to fame in the 2000’s, Hauser has become a beloved American icon. Whether it’s political leaders, security guards or tormented soldiers, Hauser has played many characters. Arguably, Hauser’s finest strength as an actor has often been his ability to steal the show in supporting roles with limited screen time. Even when he is not the main focus of a movie, Hauser has left strong impression. An actor with commanding screen presence, Hauser has made countless memorable movies achieving a huge audience. Through his abilities to create characters that are compelling, Hauser has built a legacy that is lasting. Although he is often relegated to the supporting roles in most movies, Hauser hasn’t ever lost his abilities. Throughout his enduring career, Hauser has made many strong movies that are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Hauser and adore all movies that he has made in his career. However, “Late Night” is my favourite. Released in 2019, Nisha Ganatra’s movie offered a powerful portrait of late night television. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the finest movies ever made about late night television. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Paul Walter Hauser, who portrays a late night TV host that experiences a terror. Ultimately, what makes “Late Night” a captivating classic is universal appeal. Unlike most films about late night TV, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about the consequences of media which would resonate with everyone. A strong masterpiece about a late night television prodigy, there are several strong reasons why “Late Night” is a film that is worth seeing.
Set in the world of late night television, “Late Night” tells the story of a talk show host that experiences tension. Emma Thompson plays Katherine Newbury, a late night talk show host that has a strong dedication to her profession. Katherine has always shown a commitment to her job of managing late night entertainment. However, Katherine’s life drastically changes when she hires an Indian female writer. Molly Patel (Mindy Kaling) is a female writer with a strong drive to become a successful reporter. Torn apart by differences in culture, Katherine wonders whether it’s possible to gain success in a profession causing disaster. With help of her assistant Mancusco (Paul Walter Hauser), Katherine seeks to manage a late night show facing disaster. Faced with the consequences of late night, Kathrine is forced to question if it’s possible for her to remain in the spotlight.
Nisha Ganatra is a newcomer towards stories of late night television. An Indian filmmaker, Ganatra had never made a movie about late night television before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of late night television show hosts facing tragedy but she succeeded tremendously. Using captivating cinematography, Ganatra demonstrates a late night talk show host facing tragedy. Emulating Tom McCarthy’s “Spotlight”, Ganatra expertly uses montages to capture the struggles faced by dedicated news reporters which work late night. For instance, the montages enhance the television airing scene. During this memorable scene, Katherine seeks to prepare for her first ever late night broadcast that causes tension. Through stunning montages, Ganatra creates a portrait of late night television which proves compelling. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Clint Eastwood’s “Richard Jewell” suggested, montages enhance commemorated films about bombers. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Ganatra captures tensions which commemorated late night television hosts are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Late Night” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Ganatra effectively uses costume design to capture the lives of late night hosts which face a decline. For instance, costumes elevate the writer meeting scene. During this unforgettable scene, Katherine meets her new female writer for the first time causing tension. Through compelling costumes, Ganatra crafts a portrait of television show hosts audiences can easily relate to. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Lesley Barber’s music is key toward the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that late night television hosts bear. Through breathtaking production design, Ganatra honours the lives of late night hosts facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Late Night” is a movie about television which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses narration to capture the lives of late night television hosts experiencing tension. For instance, narration enhances the television speech scene. During this heartfelt scene, Katherine gives a poignant speech on her experiences as a late night television host causing tension. Through narration, Ganatra created a portrait of late night television that is compelling. Voice over narration is a complex technique to use in movies. As Craig Gillepsie’s “I, Tonya” suggested, narration enhances filmsabout ice skating champions. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a bold screenplay, Ganatra captures the lives of ice skating champions that face a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Paul Walter Hauser delivers one of his finest career performances as Mancusco. Hauser earned appreciation playing real-life heroes in crime dramas. With “Late Night”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a late night television show host that is well known but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in the past before: strong, charismatic and funny in his most memorable role. Hauser has often had sharp sense of humour, and “Late Night” showcased his comedic gift as an actor. With riveting expressions, he captures the bravery, grief and determination of a late night reporter facing tensions. It’s a powerful performance by one of the most commemorated actors which is working today.
While the movie is mainly a strong showcase for Paul Walter Hauser, the supporting cast is also superb and worthy of recognition. Emma Thompson is extraordinary, capturing tension faced by a late night television show host with dedication toward her profession. Mindy Kaling is riveting, bringing authority to a female writer with a strong drive to achieving recognition in a profession that causes disaster. Lastly, Max Casella deserves appreciation. As a commemorated late night television show icon, he brings wisdom to the movie.
Finally, “Late Night” will earn the appreciation of ebeyrone for capturing the obstacles which late night hosts fight. Unlike most films about light night hosts, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses powerful themes including identity, media and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with late night TV to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about media which would definitely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Late Night” is one of those rare movies about television everyone will adore.
Fans of Paul Walter Hauser will definitely enjoy “Late Night” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating film about late night media, it celebrates an actor with charisma.
A captivating portrait of the barriers that late night television show hosts fight, it’s a riveting reminder about a bright actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge following in memorable movies which have earned the spotlight.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 