Broadcast News (1987)

Take two rival television 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 14 wins & 16 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 Rorish
Robert Katims	...	Martin Klein
Ed Wheeler	...	George Weln
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:

1980s | tv reporter | television producer | television news | rivalry | 

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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 Spanish French German

Release Date:

25 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)

Opening Weekend USA:

$197,542, 20 December 1987, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$51,249,404

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$67,331,309

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

The office building where the network's Washington, D.C. offices are located, is 1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, a 1986 building where occupants were still moving in the year before the movie was released, and a block away from the old Post Office building, where a new Trump Hotel is in the process of being erected.

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Goofs

Although it's not made clear, among the last scenes of the movie is Tom on a mobile lounge, which takes on passengers at the terminal and then lowers to travel. Tom's lounge moves away from the camera without first lowering. These mobile lounges, once a notable feature at Dulles International Airport (IAD) in northern Virginia, were also used at other airports, in this case at Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) in Maryland.

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Quotes

Jane Craig: I-I can't help you. Sorry, I'm not here to teach remedial reporting.

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Crazy Credits

Albert Brooks' singing of "L'Edition Speciale" from the film also briefly appears in the end credits.

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Connections

References Today (1982)

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Soundtracks

L'Edition Speciale
Written by Francis Cabrel
Performed by Francis Cabrel
Courtesy of Editions 31 (Paris)

User Reviews

Clever, witty and funny

James L. Brook is one of those directors who always seems to take a quirky look at life. He isn't only the producer for "The Simpsons," he has some classic comedies under his belt -- "Broadcast News" is one of them.

Although it doesn't match his later effort "As Good As It Gets," "Broadcast News" is still a very clever, funny and witty movie about a television broadcasting station and all the problems they suffer. There's a great comedic sequence of physical humor where Joan Cusack is running around the building trying to rush a news tape to the editing room in a matter of mere minutes before it is to be broadcast live on TV.

This isn't only very truthful in terms of how hectic broadcasting stations are operated, but also a skillful and honest portrayal of human beings.

A low-key, subtle movie with good acting (especially from Hurt, who I don't always like so much) and apt direction.