Its optimism is so refreshing, its dialogue so smart, and its characters and performances so endearing, it well rewards a watch.

Writer-director James L. Brooks all but invented a warm, urbane way of telling complex women's stories, but his first movie in 15 years feels retrograde.

News digital producers Tannock Blair and Julia Broberg discussed this week’s double-feature with movies about from James L. Brooks — featuring “Ella McCay” and “As Good As It Gets.”

There are many charming elements, including Jamie Lee Curtis, in the 85-year-old filmmaker's comeback but they don't add up to a convincing movie.

In June 2025, they were photographed together at the LIDO Festival in London. Most recently, Aleman joined Mackey on the red carpet at the Hollywood premiere of Ella McCay in December 2025, where he stood with his arm around her waist as they posed for photos together.

But this time the drama is on the other side of the media-government divide. The titular Ella (Emma Mackey) is a doe-eyed 34-year-old who has managed to become lieutenant governor of her unnamed state,

When Ella (Emma Mackey) is sworn in as the youngest female governor of her state, her family life descends into chaos.

Ella McCay couldn’t break the glass ceiling and enter the top 5 of the Box Office. So what did? At number 1 was Zootopia 2, adding to its already $1 billion+ global box office. Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 came in at number 2,