Pick #3,031
Dir. Sidney Lumet · United States of America · English
Featuring compelling performances and a biting script, this award-winning film offers an unflinching look at the cutthroat industry that’s broadcast news
1976 Movie Drama
Our take
Directed by Sidney Lumet (12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon), The Network is often referred to as a satire, but as someone who has worked in the broadcast news industry, I hesitate to call it one. Sure it’s amped up the rage and ridiculousness, but the desire for ratings at all costs? The power-hungry executives who don’t give a damn about ethics or public service? The nonstop onslaught of bad news turning people from concerned to desensitized? Those are real and rampant, even now almost 50 years later, Network remains a relevant cautionary tale against the corporatization of humans and the exploitation of tragedy. The whipsmart script is performed by an excellent cast (the leads of which went on to win Academy Awards) and has given us solid, lasting lines like “Even the news needs showmanship,” and “You’re television incarnate, Diana.” Aaron Sorkin can only hope to pen those words.
What it won
Oscars
4 wins · 6 noms
Nat. Board of Review
1 nom
NYFCC
1 win · 2 noms
The story
When veteran anchorman Howard Beale is forced to retire his 25-year post because of his age, he announces to viewers that he will kill himself during his farewell broadcast. Network executives rethink their decision when his fanatical tirade results in a spike in ratings.
Elsewhere
"This is a bawdy, stops-out, no-holds-barred story of a TV network that will, quite literally, do anything to get an audience."
— A.D. Murphy
Desperate to increase the ratings of her network, ambitious executive Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway) decides to take over the nightly news and take advantage of its angry anchor (Peter Finch) and his impassioned rambles.
Just thinking about the monologue about “corporate cosmology” sends chills down my spine. But also, the way they built up Howard to be a “TV prophet,” with no regard for harm (on truth, the public, and himself) is scarily prescient. It may or may not have predicted the rise of the podcast.
I love how everyone’s angry, 24/7, no exception.
Who picked it
Renee Cuisia is the lead curator at A Good Movie to Watch. In her spare time, she likes to watch K-dramas and analyze them to death. She's also seen You've Got Mail one too many times but is still convinced it's one of the greatest films out there.
