Broadcast News- Set in the realm of
high-powered and fast-paced network news, “Broadcast News” plays as both workplace
love triangle but also a comedic, cannily-detailed indictment of that late 80s
news climate. Written and directed by James L. Brooks, the film presents the
lives of the pretty boy anchor Tom (William Hurt), the principled yet abrasive reporter
Aaron (Albert Brooks), and the basket-case producer Jane (Holly Hunter) and how
they try to balance work, personal relationships, and the behind-the-scenes
network shuffling.
Back in the 80s, Brooks really could do no wrong. His
timing, his ability to find comedy and pathos in such different situations was
really superb, and “Broadcast” is his best. Here he writes these three
characters with such distinct dynamics. They can have dialogue that’s
intelligent and not solely based on their relationships; work can be
interesting too. It’s a refreshing adult romantic comedy.
Holly
Hunter, in her breakthrough role, is a wonder as Jane. Watching her try to
grasp desperately onto her set-in-stone workplace principles despite her heart
being pulled another way is as captivating for the audience as is it
excruciating for her.
Brooks does his best to find his dark sardonic
humor in the material and his prickly self-deprecation fit right in to the
milieu. Hurt, riding his mid-80s career
high, does small nuanced work as the slightly out-of-touch Tom who’s willing to
do anything to get ahead. All three leads play well off of each other too.
Whether it’s the oil and water like Brooks and Hurt, or the rising heat between
Hunter and Hurt, the sparks fly between every duo. The open-ended conclusion to
this tale does feel a bit hasty, but that’s probably more a credit to Brooks
for moving the story along so swiftly. Grade:
A
Michelle Pfeiffer and her Bridges Boys after the cut.
