Broadcast News (1987)

Take two rival TV reporters: one handsome, one talented, both male. Add one producer, female. Mix well and watch the sparks fly.

Director:

James L. Brooks

Writer:

James L. Brooks

Stars:

William Hurt, Albert Brooks, Holly Hunter

Nominated for 7 Oscars. Another 17 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Basket-case network news producer Jane Craig falls for new reporter Tom Grunnick, a pretty boy who represents the trend towards entertainment news she despises. Aaron Altman, a talented but plain correspondent, carries an unrequited torch for Jane. Sparks fly between the three as the network prepares for big changes, and both the news and Jane must decide between style and substance.

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Plot Keywords:

tv reporter | love triangle | television | crocodile tears | stress management | 

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Taglines:

It's the story of their lives.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 December 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Network News

Filming Locations:

600 East Capitol Street SE, Capitol Hill, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$51,249,404 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amercent Films, American Entertainment Partners L.P., Gracie Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

133 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Peter Hackes, who plays News Division President Paul Moore, was an NBC News correspondent in Washington until retiring from the network a year before the movie was made.

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Goofs

When Tom and Jane return from their first dinner together, Tom is walking backwards and is just about to hit his head on a low archway, yet in the next shot he is still several feet away from it.

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Quotes

Jennifer Mack: [pointing at Tom's penis' shadow] Do you do bunny rabbits?

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Crazy Credits

The suggested new News theme presented in the movie, including the "big finish!".

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Connections

Referenced in Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)

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Soundtracks

"Midnight Train to Georgia"
Written by Jim Weatherly
Performed by Gladys Knight & The Pips (as Gladys Knight and The Pips)
Courtesy of Buddah Records

User Reviews

Sadly true and great.

I say sadly because if you see this movie now, you realize how low our media has sunk- all the warning signs are in this movie.

It's a great film, I think the last great James Brooks film, but others may disagree. It has rich characters (who are believable as well), great acting, great writing, and although the music got a little cheesy, I even liked that.

William Hurt has never been better. Holly Hunter is stunning. And Albert Brooks walks away with every scene he's in- this triangle of people is beautifully drawn and compelling and made the whole movie soar above it's vital and important topic of the News, and how it's slowly being compromised in our nation.

Watch this with NETWORK for a truly fun and frightening evening.