No fluff for Ford.(Reprint)

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Considering he turns 70 next year you can't blame Harrison Ford for finding ageism a hot conversation topic.

His latest film sees him play Mike Pomeroy - a serious news anchorman who's pulled out of semi-retirement to co-host 'Daybreak', a light and fluffy morning news show that's in a ratings slump.

"Of course he's grumpy. He got pushed out of his anchorman position in favour of a younger man," explains Ford.

"Because he's still got a contract with the network, he's compelled, if he wants to collect his yearly salary, to come back and

do this morning 'entertainment' show - or whatever it is."

When asked if he's a victim of ageism, Ford, belying his 68 years, sighs deeply and mutters: "Aren't we all?"

"He's a victim of nature, he's getting older and he's kind of... a dinosaur."

Over the last decade, Ford's star has waned, not helped by several commercial flops, with the exception of 'Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull' in 2008, a sequel almost 20 years later, and the 2000 thriller 'What Lies Beneath'.

'Morning Glory' gave him a good part though - and Ford excels as the cantankerous Pomeroy who refuses to cook on screen,

banter with his co-host Colleen (Diane Keaton) or say words like "fluffy".

Eventually of course, when coaxed by the indomitable new executive producer Becky (Rachel McAdams), Pomeroy chills out.

In an era when celebrity news battles for supremacy with hard news, 'Morning Glory' throws open the debate of how you balance the 'bran' of news with the 'doughnut' of entertainment.

This is where Ford, who's made a career out of playing the hero in mainstream movies like 'Star Wars' and the Indy franchise, has no opinion. Instead, he falls back on Pomeroy.

"My character's point of view is the old style journalism that he practiced and is so proud of is no longer in favour." It's been 12 years since the Chicago-born actor last dipped his toe into comedy with 'Six Days, Seven Nights'.

Besides loving the script ("I don't usually find comedies ambitious enough"), the actor was coaxed into the part by having the chance to work with Keaton.

"She's delightful, a great actress, very smart, very witty... We really enjoyed the opportunity we had to create a lot of sharp, pointed humour. The fun part is that the on-the-air contentiousness between them makes Daybreak a success for the first time."

On set, it seems Ford was in his element, having a laugh with his co-stars.

British director Roger Michell who made 'Notting Hill' says: "He's not somebody who skulks in his trailer, he likes being around, he's very collegiate. He likes crews, he likes the other actors, he's a sweet, funny guy."

Ford and Keaton have a great angry repartee as their characters make jibes about each other and battle to be the last one to say "goodbye". Michell says: "It's something they instantly fell into.

Versions of themselves and versions of their roles - they seemed to get it very quickly and I didn't interfere."

This article was originally published by www.7days.ae.

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