One of the biggest films coming out of this year’s Sundance Film Festival is “Late Night.” Almost immediately snatched up after its premiere by Amazon, the film has an all-star cast and uses the late-night talk show role to shine a light on some big issues.
As seen in the trailer, “Late Night” revolves around an aging, female late-night talk show host that learns that she is on the way out, against her will. In order to spice things up and gain popularity, and thus save her job, she relies on a new voice in her writers’ room. This new writer is the only female and the only person of color in a room full of white dudes. And as you might guess, hilarity ensues.
READ MORE: Emma Thompson Shines In Commercially Friendly ‘Late Night’ [Sundance Review]
The film is directed by Nisha Ganatra and stars Emma Thompson, Mindy Kaling, Max Casella, Hugh Dancy, John Lithgow, Denis O’Hare, Reid Scott, and Amy Ryan.
“Late Night” will hit theaters on June 7.
Here’s the synopsis:
Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson) is a pioneer and legendary host on the late-night talk-show circuit. When she’s accused of being a “woman who hates women,” she puts affirmative action on the to-do list, and—presto!—Molly (Mindy Kaling) is hired as the one woman in Katherine’s all-male writers’ room. But Molly might be too little too late, as the formidable Katherine also faces the reality of low ratings and a network that wants to replace her. Molly, wanting to prove she’s not simply a diversity hire who’s disrupting the comfort of the brotherhood, is determined to help Katherine by revitalizing her show and career—and possibly effect even bigger change at the same time. Late Night takes on white privilege, entitlement, and a culture veering toward crassness and conservatism. Challenging the limitations placed on women in power, the film delivers a sophisticated comedy that champions a new order centering the strengths of women and diverse voices.
