Broadcast News (Criterion) (Blu-Ray)

If you watch television at all, you have almost certainly seen something that James L. Brooks was involved in. He was a writer on Taxi, Lou Grant, Rhoda and the Mary Tyler Moore show and continues to contribute to The Simpsons. His first film, Terms of Endearment, took home five Oscars, with Brooks being credited for three of them.

Broadcast News is a blend of comedy, drama and romance. When I first watched it over 20 years ago, I was disappointed. I didn't think it was interesting, funny or moving in any way. It's strange how our tastes can change over the years. I think I appreciate the film now because I know more about life and can relate to some of the events.

Two brief scenes at the start of the film introduce us to the characters of Tom and Jane. We learn that Tom doesn't mind being beaten up at school because he knows he will have a better career than any of the bullies he has to deal with. Jane shows us a glimpse of her character as she chastises her father for his imprecise use of words.

The story continues with the adult Jane (Hunter) giving a speech about news coverage. She's dismayed at how the networks dumb-down information to appease the audience. When she demonstrates her point with a mindless news article, her audience is more responsive than at any other point in her speech.The only person who admires her presentation is Tom (Hurt) and she asks him to dinner. He presents the news, but reveals that he knows very little about the stories he talks about. Despite that, his employers love what he does and pay him large sums of money.

Jane is obsessed with her job as a producer and can't respect people who are bad at their job. Any chance of romance is ended when she speaks her mind to Tom. She repels men. Hunter got the part which was intended for Debra Winger, but it's hard to imagine anyone else in the role. Her accent and the determination with which her character pursues her career reminds me of Jodie Foster's performance in The Silence of the Lambs.

How often do people succeed on charm or because the right look? The film explores that theme throughout as we see Tom take every opportunity that presents itself. In contrast, we see a gifted reporter, Aaron (Brooks), receive no recognition from anyone with the exception of Jane. The two have a deep friendship and confide in each other regularly.

James L. Brooks has a background in news and portrays the high-paced environment to good effect. There's an hilarious scene early in the film in which Jane edits a story just a few seconds before it is due to air, and her assistant (Joan Cusack) has to dodge all manner of unlikely obstacles to deliver the tape on time. Although it's a funny scene, it shows how much pressure is involved in the news business.

Another exceptional scene shows Tom anchoring the news for the first time. Jane knows that he is likely to stumble if he has to think up questions for himself, so she takes care of all the content. Aaron, who is at home getting drunk after being overlooked again, calls in with information which Jane feeds to Tom while he is on the air. The result is a professional broadcast in which Tom is made to look highly competent.

There are a lot of similar scenes which give us a real understanding of how the news business might work. We feel part of that world. However, the film shines because of the acting and the dark comedy. Brooks is the source of much of the humor, but Hurt and Hunter play their parts well. Jack Nicholson has a small role and pulls it off perfectly as you would expect.

There is a love triangle of sorts. Tom is successful, but superficial, and he is interested in Jane. Part of his interest appears to be driven by what she might do for his career. Aaron can see Tom's shortcomings and thinks that he's a more suitable partner for Jane. He clearly loves her as well as being her best friend. Jane is torn between Tom's looks and success, and Aaron's friendship and competence. I'll let you find out the resolution for yourself.

Criterion's Blu-ray presentation is excellent and the film looks better than it ever has. The special features include recent interviews with James L. Brooks and the cast. One of the most interesting features is an alternate ending with comments from Brooks.

Broadcast News is unusual in that it manages to make a technical job appear exciting. I wanted to see what would happen to the three main characters. It's funny throughout in an intelligent way and the romantic element will please some viewers. I can't believe that I failed to see its brilliance when I first watched it over 20 years ago.

BROADCAST NEWS marks the first time I saw Holly Hunter, and I was mesmerized at her focus, quickness, passion, and finally her eccentric prettiness and sex appeal. The movie is hers from start to finish, and makes the 'love triangle' subplot almost unnecessary. She's so smart in the film (a rarity for a lead female character) that you almost think if her only romantic choices are William Hurt's style-but-no-substance anchor or Albert Brooks's neurotic but intellectually arrogant reporter, she'd be better off with Robert Prosky. I guess some of my feelings mirror what San Diego Darren said down below, but it dosen't stop me from being a bit p'od at Albert Brooks. His was the character I identified with the most- the guy who's always seen as a 'brother' to the girl he really loves, and my favorite scene in the whole film is him getting the chance to kiss Hunter romantically. (It's preceded by a truly poignant moment of him confessing how much he loves her.) When he goes petulant later in the story, it's a bit hard to take. Fortunately, the James Brooks script and direction are a joy throughout, culminating in two perfect scenes: one with Joan Cusack unraveling seconds before a tape feed, and a marvelous 360 (?) pan thru the studio showing a live news feed from producer to anchor in one shot.

Apart from sporting the most powerful newsroom dynamics since His Girl Friday, this film is a lasting account of the delicate balance between intelligence, power, and sexual attraction, and that manages to gently skewer the news industry at the same time.

It is a simple yet intelligent romantic comedy, held up by crisp witty dialogue and topnotch performances by Holly Hunter and William Hurt both at the top of their game. Albert Brooks was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of a TV reporter who wants to be an anchor (even Jack Nicholson and John Cusack in little know roles turn in a surprise guest performance).

One could speculate that this movie didn't walk away with any statuettes depite being nominated in several Oscar categories -- and this is my main gripe with the movie -- because the very interesting build-up did not really culminate into a very satisfying ending. Sort of leaves me wanting for something more everytime.

Nevertless, the bustle of the entire movie is definitely worth a ride, if only due to its convincing examination of the atavistic social obsession with physical appearance and its ultimate triumph over intellect as a valued human attribute (personified by the meteoric career success of William Hurt's character in contrast to Brookes relative decline). I have seen this movie about 11 times now, and I can still take it -- that is saying something.