BROADCAST NEWS

US, 1987, 133 minutes, Colour.
William Hurt, Albert Brooks, Holly Hunter, Jack Nicholson, Robert Prosky, Lois Chiles, Joan Cusack.
Directed by James L.Brooks.

Broadcast News was one of the most popular films of 1987-88. It was written, directed and produced by James L. Brooks who won Oscars for his film Terms of Endearment. The film also received Oscar nominations for Best Film as well as the stars: William Hurt, Albert Brooks, Holly Hunter.

William Hurt acts against type as bland but cunning newsreader. Albert Brooks is excellent as the ambitious intelligent reporter who is frustrated in his hopes to be a newsreader. Holly Hunter (from Raising Arizona) is full of vigour as the obsessed and obsessive producer. There is a good supporting cast which includes, surprisingly, Jack Nicholson as the network's newsreader and wealthy producer.

The film is light, a character study of the three leads as well as a look behind the scenes at the television networks, production, the presentation of news. The screenplay is witty and literate and affords a great deal of humour as well as serious insights. it is a more pleasant look at the media than films like Network. However, the criticisms are probably no less severe.

1. Enjoyable drama and comedy? Acclaim and Oscar nominations? A film of the 80s, media, relationships, characters?

2. The work of James L. Brooks? The strong cast? Jack Nicholson?

3. The atmosphere of the 60s with the prologue: Tom as a young boy, his discussion with his dad about study, his low grades, his being attractive to his teachers, his desire to get by on little effort? The contrast with Aaron and his speech, his moment of glory, his fellow students bullying him? His defiance of them? The contrast with Jane and her many penfriends, the discussion with her father about being obsessive? Setting a mood as well as introducing the characters?

4. The title and media, the media in action, behind the scenes, in front of the scenes?

5. Jane as the centre of the film: as a young girl, the transition to her jogging, her obsession with phones, with time, her sudden bursts of weeping, the relationship with Aaron and her being able to talk to him, and listen to him? The studio and her work, editing Aaron's interview? Her continued talking and not being able to relate well? her speech, her being dreary, people walking out, no questions? Tom, and his coming back, being able to talk with her, going home, mutual seduction, but her blunt language, her attacks on Tom, the failure of the evening? The irony of his being at work with her? The question of the Rockwell clip for the news and the speed with which it had to be edited in? The approval of Bill as he spoke out the news, his phone call to her, the putting down of Aaron? The friendship with Aaron, talk, romance, phone calls, love, telling the truth? The meeting with Tom and working with him? His producing the item about the plane? His success? Her going to Central America with Aaron, being under fire? The party, the crisis and her being Executive Producer, her speedy work, being linked with Tom, his speaking her words? Aaron's contribution? Her response to Tom's piece about the woman raped, his weeping? The celebration, Jennifer and warning her off Tom? Getting her transferred to Alaska? The build-up to the sackings? The previous producer and losing his job and her getting it? The build-up to the party, Aaron's weekend show and her missing it? Flirting with Tom, the dinner, contraceptives, wanting to leave? Visiting Aaron? Her discovery about Tom and the tear, going to the airport? deciding not to go with him? The clash with Tom? Seven years later and her achievement?

6. Aaron: at school, the interview with the mercenary and the swearing, his sense of humour, self-doubt, cynical touches? Relationship with Jane, in love with her? Bill not praising him but get his trying to with humour? His one- liners? Under fire in Central America? His dislike of Tom, the discussion about wealth? His not being used in the crisis yet his ringing through information? His drinking and singing the songs? The build-up to his night, the coaching by Tom for voice and clothes? His sweating? The failure? The evening with Jane, declaring his love, telling her about Tom and the tears? His being sacked but resigning? Seven years later and his family?

7. Tom at school, at Jane's talk, his coming back? With Jane, seduction, his being hurt by her remarks? Her bluntness? The irony of his working with her? His story, his career, his applying for the job and is surprisingly getting it? His self-assessment? At the studio, battling with Jane, his piece on the planes? The rape piece and his tear? Relationship with Jennifer and the sexual encounter? His being a front man and his success? His speaking out Jane's information? His excitement? The party? His father's visit? The proposal to Jane? The truth about the tears, his going to London and becoming a success? Seven years later still a success?

8. The staff at the station: the elderly producer, his friendship, support of Jane, his being sacked and going? Paul and his being in favour of Tom and promoting him?? Having to participate and administer the sackings? His jibe to Bill about the money? His relationship with personnel?

9. The producer's assistant and her haste, her anxieties, using Jane as a role model, her admiration of Bill, her being sacked?

10. Jack Nicholson as Bill, his reading of the news, people waiting to see whether he praised them or not, the smile or not, his phone call, the visit, jibe about his salary, the sackings?

11. Jennifer and her work, her skills on the news, checking out with Jane about Tom, the sexual relationship, going to Alaska?

12. The world of the studio: the range of personnel, the editor, the two with their new theme song? Timing, editing? Self-congratulations?

13. The media world and the real world? The interaction between the two?

14. A civilised American entertainment?