These characters are to die for. Acting is truly amazing. The story is rather bland and becomes even somewhat tedious near the end, but the acting and the dialogues are so terrific that I forgive the somewhat bland ending.
The story is about 2 competing news men and one woman: William Hurt, Albert Brooks and Holly Hunter. Besides the fact that these 2 guys are competing who is the best at covering news they are also competing for the same girl. Who gets the girl? Who gets the most prestigeous job? That's the suspense. The story may sound rather cheap, it is kind a, but that doesnt matter. This movie is all about budding romances and the insecurities that we all have when we first start longing for someone but dont dare speak out about it. Love hurts. Even when you are an middle aged adult. Love never becomes easier...
The story ends on a melancolic note. That's unexpected, because the movie started so upbeat and joyous. But I must admit that the director did achieve to make these characters become so real. That is so refreshing. True to life characters, I long for that so much in every movie I see, because when I truly feel with all my heart that those characters could be friends or family of mine, I can get lost into the fantasy of the story. I need realism first, to lose myself in fantasy. Does that make sense? I truly felt after seeing "Broadcast News" that I had to part with some friends I had gotten fond of so quickly.
Albert Brooks really has got an incredible talent of making characters likeable and full of human shortcomings that are so funny and endearing. Few other directors have such an effect on me. Still I must admit I will only give it 7 stars, because the second half part of the movie just lacks originality. It could have been better... Still a joy to watch.
