Running time: 115 minutes. Rated PG-13 (strong language, some sexual material and drug content). In theaters. In the pantheon of James L. Brooks films, “Ella McCay” is far from as good as it gets.

Film fans like to lament, “they don’t make them like they used to,” specifically about the kinds of wry, life-affirming dramedies that director James L. Brooks perfected back in the 1980s and ‘90s, ...

James L. Brooks returns with a lieutenant governor comedy that might leave you more confused than amused. By Alissa Wilkinson When you purchase a ticket for an independently reviewed film through our ...

Imperfections are typically what make the 'Terms of Endearment' director's movies so relatable, but in this ill-conceived portrait of a perfectionistic politician, the characters are phony to a fault.

James L. Brooks’ new comedy “Ella McCay” is such a nice movie that the fact that it isn’t really very good doesn’t matter much; you enjoy watching it, even though when it’s over you’ll struggle to ...

Hardworking, principled politician Ella McCay (Emma Mackey) is forced to deal with the chaos of her dysfunctional family, just as she accepts a major promotion. There is both too much and not enough ...

If you know the work of James L. Brooks, you know this is a man who can write women, usually independent women who somehow have to survive the men in their lives in one way or another. It all goes ...

The best aspect of “Ella McCay,” opening Friday, is that it’s a James L. Brooks movie that feels like it. The filmmaker who gave us “Terms of Endearment” (1983), “Broadcast News” (1987) and “As Good ...

The first victim of the deadly school shooting at Brown University has been identified as a sophomore student and vice president of the school’s college Republican club, Ella Cook, according to her ...

Emma Mackey stars as an eager politician beset on all sides by personal struggles in a film that rewards serious suspension of disbelief. Of course, Brooks’ worlds have better lighting, and an ...

Perhaps you’ve seen the poster for Ella McCay and marveled at its title character, a woman who’s clearly trying to Have It All—by which I mean she’s futzing with a high heel while wearing a sensible ...