Broadcast News (1987)

Directed by James L. Brooks. Starring Holly Hunter, William Hurt, Albert Brooks, Robert Prosky, Joan Cusack, Lois Chiles, Peter Hackes, Jack Nicholson, Christian Clemenson, Merita Geraghty. [R]

Solid seriocomic peek into the lives of overworked-yet-passionate television news producer Hunter, intelligent and neurotic reporter Brooks, and photogenic and charismatic newscaster Hurt. Not a lot of surprises in the broad strokes of the story beats and character types—of course, the “pretty boy” anchor is dim about world affairs—and the conviction of its ethical conscience is almost laughably antiquated today, but why not hold them accountable? The only one of James L. Brooks’ films where the broad, sitcom-y gags and blackout lines are (mostly) massaged into the narrative instead of forced, landing plenty of laughs without sacrificing the integrity of the character relationships. Hunter is terrific in a multifaceted performance that creates a distinct (and rarely predictable) full-spectrum character, yet Albert Brooks nearly steals the movie anyway with his quick, acerbic wit and bitter acceptance of his shortcomings; Hurt’s no slouch either, and manages to be convincingly vacuous even though he’s far better known for tackling roles of flawed men who happen to be clever and studied. Had the filmmaker dug in the claws and expanded the triangle to include a vivid fourth player—the news issues and workplace itself—he might have really had something here, but such vigorous character work for real adults (instead of arrested-development archetypes wearing the skin and garb of adults) is a pleasure all the same. Look fast for John Cusack in a bit part getting fired.

80/100