Review of Network (1976) by Bobb B — 10 Jan 2011
Network.
When I first watched Taxi Driver, I wondered why it did not win the Best Film award. I realized that 1976 was an absolutely splendid year for movies. You had Rocky, All The President's Men and Taxi Driver. I have loved all three and would be happy if either of them had won. But then I saw Network.
Yes 1976 is still a brilliant year for movies, yes those three films are still great, but Network is better. It is definitely the most powerful films I have ever seen in terms of its impact. So great was its power and truth, that I had to pause the film two or three times in between, just to allow myself ample time to absorb the film and its truth. One will be hard pressed to find a more scathing critique of society and media.
The greatest testament to the sheer magic of this film is the fact that it was made 34 years ago and it is still just as powerful and magnificent a take on current society and media. I doubt if a film with a better screenplay can be found. I wondered why Paul Schrader's script for Taxi Driver did not win an Oscar and I found my answer in Network. It was just not good enough to beat Network.
Sidney Lumet was most definitely robbed of his Best Director Oscar. I love Rocky too but no way did John Avildsen deserve an award over Sidney Lumet.
For me, Lumet is right up there with Scorsese, Coppola and Kubrick as the masters of American cinema.
This review of Network (1976) was written by Bobb B on 10 Jan 2011.
Network has generally received very positive reviews.
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