Starring: Holly Hunter, William Hurt, Albert Brooks, Joan Cusack, Robert Prosky, Christian Clemenson, Jack Nicholson
Directed By: James L Brooks
Plot: A story about a new broadcasting team and the rivalry between a producer (Hunter), a reporter (Brooks), and an anchor (Hurt).
What Works: whip smart dialogue, fantastic acting, and a ton of heart. They don’t make films like this anymore. When they do, they’re darker and more like Spotlight. This was an Oscar nominee, and it’s not a dark heavy hitting film. It’s just a really good film. Holly Hunter is incredible without being dark and twisty. Albert Brooks is typical Albert Brooks, but it works here. William Hurt is good too, in probably the lightest of the three roles. James L Brooks does a really good job directing a very dialog heavy film, that runs over two hours, and makes every scene interesting and engaging. He makes all the relationships real, and the chemistry palpable. He gets the most out of his actors. He really is one of the great directors.
What Doesn’t Work: There wasn’t really anything I didn’t like about this film. I suppose if I’m being nitpicky, I didn’t like the intro to the movie with the three little kids. I don’t thin we needed that. It was cutesy, but it didn’t really mesh with the rest of the film. I’m also I’m a little surprised that in the end she didn’t fight harder for her team during the layoffs.
Final Word: A classic that I’m glad I saw, because I love this film. I was 4 when this film came out, so cut me some slack for being a little late to the party on this one.
Final Grade: A
