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 13 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

William Hurt and Holly Hunter share the same birth date of March 20. Hurt was born in 1950, and Hunter was born in 1958. Both have won Academy Awards.

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Goofs

During the special report, towards the end there is a close up of the air monitor and the New York satellite return monitor. Both monitors are in perfect synchronization. If the satellite return was indeed a true satellite return (and probably analog at the time) there would have been at least a 1 1/2 to 2 second delay due to the latency of transmitting and receiving the satellite feed. Odds are most DC bureaus were connected to New York via AT&T longlines as fiber wasn't really in vogue at the time.

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Quotes

Aaron Altman: The pointers were great, I'll study the tape.
Tom Granick: Just remember that you're not just reading the news, you're narrating it. Everybody has to sell a little. You're selling them this idea of you, you know, you're sort of saying, trust me I'm, um, credible. So when you feel yourself just reading, stop! Start selling a little.

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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

Referenced in Kicking and Screaming (1995)

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Soundtracks

Midnight Train to Georgia
Written by Jim Weatherly
Performed by Gladys Knight & The Pips
Courtesy of Buddah Records

User Reviews

Smart scripting.

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) 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. Though I can best relate to Albert Brooks (the guy who loves the smart, alluring girl who only sees him as a 'brother'), he still ticked me off a bit. My favorite scene in the film is him pouring his heart out to Hunter on a front porch confessing his love, then taking her by surprise and kissing her romantically (the only time he gets the chance). 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.