Broadcast News (1987)
- Starring:
- William Hurt, Albert Brooks, (more)
- Director(s):
- James L. Brooks
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
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Writer/director/producer James L. Brooks scores on all counts with this clear-eyed look at the television news business and the dysfunctional types who work in it. Brooks' intelligent script introduces us to Jane Craig (Holly Hunter), an ambitious producer at the network news division's Washington D.C. branch, who is calm under fire yet has a good cry at her desk every morning over her empty personal life. Jane works well with Aaron Altman (Albert Brooks), an excellent reporter who lacks the visual charisma to make him a star. Into their lives comes Tom Grunick (William Hurt), a regional newscaster who admits he can't write news and doesn't understand many of the events he's covering, but has the presence and physical appeal that the increasingly entertainment-oriented network wants for its news programs. Jane is also physically attracted to him, which drives her crazy, because Grunick stands for everything she's fighting against in the news business, while Altman is devastated by her attraction because he secretly yearns for Jane. As Grunick becomes a rising star at the network, and layoffs of the old guard loom, the three leads deal with their feelings for each other, their careers, and their values. Hunter, Hurt, and Brooks are all superb, as is the excellent supporting cast (including an unbilled turn by Jack Nicholson as the network's smarmy national anchor). Brooks' script is funny, poignant, gritty, and brutally honest in its examinations of the television industry and the ways in which professionals interact on and off the job. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 132 mins
Complete Cast:
- William Hurt - Tom Grunick
- Holly Hunter - Jane Craig
- Lois Chiles - Jennifer Mack
- Jack Nicholson - Bill Rorich
- Christian Clemenson - Bobby
- Ed Wheeler - George Wein
- Stephen Mendillo - Gerald Grunick
- Richard Thomsen - Gen. McGuire
- Kimber Shoop - Young Tom
- Frank Doubleday - Mercenary
- Raoul Rizik - Assistant Director
- Gennie James - Young Jane
- Marita Geraghty - Date-Rape Woman
- David Long - Donny
- Leo Burmeister - Jane's Dad
- Jane Welch - Anne Merriman
- Luis Valderrama - Guerilla Leader
- Albert Brooks - Aaron Altman
- Robert Prosky - Ernie Merriman
- Joan Cusack - Blair Litton
- Peter Hackes - Paul Moore
- Robert Katims - Martin Klein
- Joshua Billings - Chyron Operator
- Jonathan Benya - Clifford Altman
- Robert Walsh - NATO Spokesman
- Amy Brooks - Elli Merriman
- John Cusack - Angry Messenger
- Maura Moynihan - Makeup Woman
- Steve Smith - Aaron's Cameraman
- John Badila - Guest at Ball
- Nat Benchley - Commander
- Dwayne Markee - Young Aaron
- Marc Shaiman - News Theme Writer
- Director(s):
- James L. Brooks
- Writer(s):
- James L. Brooks
- Producer(s):
- James L. Brooks
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R(Sexual Situations, Adult Situations, Adult Language)
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
- Subtitles:
- Check All Versions
- 1988 - Broadcast News - Berlin International Film Festival - Silver Bear for Best Actress
- 1986 - Broadcast News - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Actress
- 1987 - Broadcast News - National Board of Review - Best Actress
- 1987 - Broadcast News - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Actor
- 1987 - Broadcast News - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Director
- 1987 - Broadcast News - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Screenplay
- 1987 - Broadcast News - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Actress
- 1987 - Broadcast News - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Picture
