Network1976

Whatever its flaws, Network is a picture that can stand on its own. And does.

A great movie, but one I didn't particularly like. I would even argue that -- in parts -- it is not particularly well-made. The story of a crazed, aging newsman who is used and abused and discarded by ruthless TV networks is perhaps not as shocking today as it might have been in 1976. But evaluating it based on its terms at the time it was made, it was very prescient in its anticipation that outrage (at what? everything!) sells and that crime & violence, especially "reality" based, can be the basis for media empires. The acting is quite good, particularly Faye Dunaway. You see what she won Best Acrtress playing a driven, soulless woman TV exec who knows she is an awful person, but can't stop herself because that's who she is. Other acting roles are done very well (though I have no idea why the wife of Schumacher - played by William Holden -- was nominated. She is barely on the screen, and I think had a histrionic scene and did just OK with it. That's the thing about the movie -- there is yelling. A lot. Just screaming and emoting, and then quiet moments of almost whispering as the reckon, and then YELLING AGAIN. There is no character development; in fact, characters just do what is needed for the scene or the speech, regardless of whether it makes sense. And sure, people do stupid senseless things but: - why was William Holden in love with Faye Dunaway? Attracted to her, sure. Infatuated in the successful, pretty young thing who looks up to him? Of course. But *in love*? Please. Yet there are multiple scenes where he goes on about how he loves her and you don't believe him for a second -- but you're supposed to. - Robert Duvall's CCA exec is at first portrayed as uncertain about putting Howard Beale back on the air. But in the next scene, he's a hard-edged, take no BS, this-is-what-we're-going-to-do corporate exec running roughshod over people. - The network president objects; then he sits down intimidated; then he just kind of hangs around, as needed. Why? Who knows? I have guesses, but he's not developed. This movie has some absolutely fabulous speeches. You'd love it if you're an actor. But people often don't talk to each other, they just make speeches. It's monologue city, often at volume. The cinematography and set design are top-notch. Finally, one its key point -- that's corporations, not countries (and their people) actually rule the world has not turned out to be true. Looking at the nationalism around the world, corporations have bowed to the authoritarians in our midst. It's not Exxon and AT&T bossing presidents around -- it's a lot more complicated than that. Definitely worth seeing, but be ready for a lot of yelling and speechifying.

Network is an outstanding satire that has become more rather than less relevant with each passing year. It is bitingly funny, whip smart and as mad as hell.