Broadcast News (1987)

 Broadcast News (1987)

If you watched the trailer for James L. Brooks’s Broadcast News, you would be forgiven if you thought this film is about a romantic love triangle set in a news station. Yes, there are aspects of romance, but it is way more than that. Brooks is a very smart, adept director who makes a living in creating deep, meaningful characterizations. In my eyes, Brooks had ideas about how work can overtake personal lives and any romance for these workaholics is essentially just a front because quite frankly, these people love to work…as we see detailed with our main characters. In addition, this film is quite informative. Even in 1987, news stations were more about entertainment and the looks, rather than delivering the actual news itself. It was a newer trend that eventually took over networks. With all the insanity within the newsroom, this film manages to find humanity within its characters. This is a detailed human portrait that is engaging, emotional, and comedic.

Jane Craig (Holly Hunter) works at a national news network in Washington D.C as a producer. She is fast, smart, and has a strict belief about the news as in the best qualified person should be the one to deliver the news. Her best friend is Aaron Altman (Albert Brooks). He is a news reporter and one of the best ones the station has. However, he feels insecure around the camera and his workplace thinks of him as the “geek.” He also has a secret crush on Jane. Now enters Tom Grunik (William Hurt). Grunik, a former sports reporter, is handsome and works incredibly well with the camera. He is gunning for the lead anchor job. He does admit he is rather uneducated and does not pay attention to general news. He also admires Jane and her beliefs which he feels would help him as a better newsperson. Jane takes this admiration and hopes it has a romantic meaning behind it. Aaron, however, is professionally and personally threatened by Grunik.

When Brooks originally wrote the screenplay, it was meant for Debra Winger. When Winger got pregnant and forced to drop out, Hunter won the role. Good thing, too! She impressed me in Raising Arizona, but she really impressed me here. For those who work nonstop and has rigid work code, they can relate to Hunter’s character. Her ideals and beliefs are important when it comes to tradition in the newsroom. But, alas, these are changing times. I could personally relate to Albert Brooks. Has a secret crush but hard to make feelings properly known, shy in front of the camera despite doing it for his career, and the geek of the workplace. William Hurt definitely breathes life into his character. Not particularly educated, but willing to learn. All three actors have fantastic chemistry. They were also nominated for Academy Awards. Does that surprise anyone? There is an unbilled treat for people who like great actors; Jack Nicholson. Nicholson only appears for a few minutes, but he plays the lead anchor who is due for retirement.

Overall, Broadcast News is a wonderful movie. On the surface, it appears to be a romantic movie with many cliches. But it is not that. It is an intelligent, thoughtful romance/drama that has ideas about the workplace and how romance is superficial within that workplace. Brooks did a great job in creating a human story that is funny and emotional at times. This movie would be a good tool to learn about life in the newsroom if it wasn’t released thirty-five years ago. Regardless, the performances need to be seen.

My Grade: A-