First reactions land for Emma Mackey and Jack Lowden’s “quirky” and “charming” comedy-drama

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Emma Mackey stars in Ella McCay, a new political comedy by Academy Award-winning director James L. Brooks. Early reviews describe the show as surprisingly optimistic.

The actor known for their role in Sex Education stars as the main character, a hopeful 34-year-old lieutenant governor. This character takes office after the governor she admired accepts a job with the Obama administration.

The film, written, directed, and produced by Brooks – known for co-creating The Simpsons and directing the popular 1983 film Terms of Endearment – follows Ella as she tries to balance her career and family, complicated by the unexpected return of her estranged father, Eddie (Woody Harrelson).

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Mackey and Harrelson lead a talented cast that includes Jamie Lee Curtis and Jack Lowden, who play the roles of Aunt Helen and Ella’s husband, Ryan, respectively.

The film’s cast also includes Spike Fearn as Ella’s brother Casey, and Ayo Edebiri as his former girlfriend, Susan. Kumail Nanjiani plays Trooper Nash, and Rebecca Hall appears as Ella’s mother. Julie Kavner voices Ella’s secretary, Estelle, and also narrates the movie.

The movie is scheduled to be released in theaters on December 12th and has received a variety of responses from critics who have seen it early.

One Twitter user described Ella McCay as feeling like a movie from the late 80s or early 90s, praising its simplicity and charm, and especially highlighting Emma Mackey’s wonderful performance.

Honestly, as a fan, I completely agree with the critic! It’s just the kind of genuinely touching, character-focused movie we don’t see much of these days. And it’s amazing – James L. Brooks, at 85 years old, still has it! He really knows how to craft stories and characters that feel real and that anyone, from teenagers to seniors, can connect with.

Someone else pointed out the cast was “exceptional” despite the “unfocused, subpar” script.

Okay, so I just finished watching #EllaMcCay, and honestly, the acting is amazing. Seriously, the cast is incredible. But… the story? It feels really messy. It’s like they were still writing it while they were filming, because a lot of scenes just don’t make sense with what happened before. It’s a shame, because the actors deserved way better material.

The story suffers from unresolved conflicts, forced and unbelievable situations, and characters that lack depth.

Another reviewer pointed out that the movie effectively captures the heartwarming, small-town feel often seen in films by directors like Frank Capra.

Critics noted that #EllaMcCay intentionally evokes the feel of classic, heartwarming political dramas reminiscent of films by directors like Capra, Reiner, and Benton, and achieves this with a unique charm. They particularly praised the cast, especially Emma Mackey, for perfectly capturing the refreshingly optimistic tone the director was aiming for.

Last week, Curtis posted a heartfelt message about her colleague Mackey, highlighting her talent for comedy and comparing her to classic comedic actress Katherine Hepburn.

When I received the script for ELLA MCCAY, my immediate thought was, ‘Who will play the lead role?’ The character requires an actress with incredible talent – someone who can seamlessly move between funny, serious, and authentic moments,” Jamie Lee Curtis explained in an Instagram post.

Once I learned Emma Mackey was cast and started working with her, it became clear to me why James L. Brooks had selected her.

Man, this character totally gives me classic Hollywood vibes – she’s got that fast-talking, witty energy of actresses like Katherine Hepburn, but she also feels really grounded and powerful like the best performers working now. It’s a cool mix!

Ella McCay is released in cinemas on 12 December.

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2025-11-27 01:20