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 12 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

Colour:

Colour

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:

John Cusack is credited as "Angry Messenger". During the staff firings, a young man yells "sons-a bitches!" and angrily throws a messenger bag to the office floor. We don't see the character's face, but the voice sounds like Cusack's.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: One of the anchormen asks for water at his desk. The Italian version mistranslates "I want Walter at my desk".

Quotes:

Jane Craig: Just what do you want from me anyway, permission to be a fake? Stop whining.

Movie Connections:

References "Good Morning America" (1975)

Soundtrack:

L'Edition Speciale

Clever, witty and funny

James L. Brook is one of those directors who always seems to take a quirky look at life. He isn't only the producer for "The Simpsons," he has some classic comedies under his belt -- "Broadcast News" is one of them.

Although it doesn't match his later effort "As Good As It Gets," "Broadcast News" is still a very clever, funny and witty movie about a television broadcasting station and all the problems they suffer. There's a great comedic sequence of physical humor where Joan Cusack is running around the building trying to rush a news tape to the editing room in a matter of mere minutes before it is to be broadcast live on TV.

This isn't only very truthful in terms of how hectic broadcasting stations are operated, but also a skillful and honest portrayal of human beings.

A low-key, subtle movie with good acting (especially from Hurt, who I don't always like so much) and apt direction.