LOS ANGELES, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- In attempting to tell an idealistic tale of politics and integrity, Ella McCay does more damage by ignoring reality. The film, in theaters Dec. 12, falls far short of its Frank Capra aspirations.
Ella McCay (Emma Mackey) is the Lt. Governor of a state that is never named. When Gov. Bill (Albert Brooks) gets a cabinet position, he names her governor.
Ella faces opposition to her public aid legislation from resentful politicians, even within her own party. A brewing scandal threatens to sabotage her office, too.
Flashing back to Ella in high school shows she was always driven and outspoken. She calls out her father, Eddie (Woody Harrelson), for having affairs that cost him his job so it piles on more inconvenient trauma when he returns begging forgiveness but not actually apologizing.
Perhaps the biggest albatross for Ella is her husband, Ray (Jack Lowden), a carefree hanger-on with tons of bad ideas. This relationship is where the film by writer/director James L. Brooks begins to lose credibility, but it spirals further before the end.
