Disney+ is now streaming a funny and heartwarming drama called Ella McCay, starring Emma Mackey and Jack Lowden. The show, described as both sincere and uniquely charming, centers on Ella McCay, a politician played by Mackey, who unexpectedly becomes governor of her home state at the young age of 34. It was directed by James L. Brooks.
Even though leading a state is a huge responsibility, her personal life presents even bigger hurdles – she’s dealing with difficult family relationships and a reporter who is trying to blackmail her.
The film features a talented cast, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Edebiri, Spike Fearn, Woody Harrelson, Julie Kavner, Rebecca Hall, and Albert Brooks.
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Despite premiering at the El Capitan Theatre in December, the movie Ella McCay was a commercial failure, earning only $4.56 million against a production budget of $35 million.
The film currently has a 23% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics generally agree that while the movie has good intentions, it’s poorly executed and tonally inconsistent, ultimately making it unremarkable.
According to Variety, Brooks’ strength as a writer lies in his honest and emotionally open characters. However, the review also noted that the film feels somewhat awkward, possibly due to changes made after test screenings or input from the studio, which resulted in important background information being lost.
The Chicago Reader found the film confusing, and the Observer strongly criticized it as old-fashioned and having outdated, negative views about women in positions of authority.
Empire described the film as disorganized and flawed, despite acknowledging the sincerity of its intentions and the spirited efforts of the actors. Ultimately, they found nearly everything else lacking.
Some reviews, however, were more positive, with The Atlantic calling Ella McCay “delightfully weird”.
Okay, so I just finished watching Little White Lies, and honestly, the acting was really good – everyone seemed totally engaged. The movie kept a nice, consistent pace, and the story flowed naturally. It’s clear the director still has a knack for mixing political themes with humor, which I really appreciated.
Sight and Sound noted that leaving a movie with the feeling that good people get what they deserve isn’t a bad experience, and that Brooks’ story, when considered on its own, is charming because it suggests that being virtuous is its own reward.
Ella McCay is streaming now on Disney+.
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2026-02-05 15:21