Broadcast News (1987)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

James L. Brooks

Writer:

James L. Brooks (written by)

Release Date:

16 December 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

It's the story of their lives.

Plot:

Take two rival TV reporters: one handsome, one talented, both male. Add one producer, female. Mix well and watch the sparks fly.

Plot Keywords:

Producer | Reporter | Broadcasting | Journalist | Love Triangle

Awards:

Nominated for 7 Oscars. Another 13 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

William Hurt	...	Tom Grunick
Albert Brooks	...	Aaron Altman
Holly Hunter	...	Jane Craig
Robert Prosky	...	Ernie Merriman
Lois Chiles	...	Jennifer Mack
Joan Cusack	...	Blair Litton (as Joan Cusak)
Peter Hackes	...	Paul Moore
Christian Clemenson	...	Bobby
Jack Nicholson	...	Bill Rorich
Robert Katims	...	Martin Klein
Ed Wheeler	...	George Wein
Stephen Mendillo	...	Gerald Grunick
Kimber Shoop	...	Young Tom
Dwayne Markee	...	Young Aaron
Gennie James	...	Young Jane

Runtime:

133 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:T | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-10 | Netherlands:AL | Singapore:PG | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Baltimore-Washington International Airport, Maryland, USA

Company:

Amercent Films

Trivia:

Marc Shaiman and Glen Roven, who play News Theme Writers, are real-life composers who have also done television jingles. Shaiman, after doing Broadcast News, went on to score major motion picture films and has since been nominated for five Academy Awards.

Goofs:

Continuity: Tom's jacket collar in the airport scene when Jane and Tom argue.

Quotes:

Aaron Altman: Sorry... sex, tears... this must be the news.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip: The Focus Group (#1.3)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Midnight Train to Georgia

Another Winner From James L. Brooks

"Broadcast News" deals with news journalists who are all trying to keep their sanity in an insane business. William Hurt (Oscar-nominated) is the man who will do anything to become the head news anchor with his television network. He knows that the top anchor (Jack Nicholson) will be retiring soon and he must have that seat in front of the camera. Holly Hunter (also Oscar-nominated) is the smart producer who realizes that not everything in the news business is just black and white. Albert Brooks (Oscar-nominated as well) is the reporter who does not take anything too seriously. He is a great newsman, but does not have the drive or charisma to make a splash like Hurt does. This is definitely a black-comedy because the comedy comes to a screeching halt throughout the film to make way for heartrending drama that is both realistic and sometimes difficult to take. Brooks' screenplay is smart for the most part, but the film is flawed in several areas. Sometimes the direction is not clear. I think that Brooks was going for something like "Network". He comes close, but this film is in a lower class than that movie. The performances are top-notch. However, Jack Nicholson's token appearance is somewhat wasted here. He shows up for one or two minutes at a time and his character is never explored. More Jack Nicholson would have provided more insight into Hurt's character and his motives. Though flawed, "Broadcast News" is still a very good film that is a winner for the most part. 4 stars out of 5.