Review of Network (1976) by Gordon S — 21 Feb 2011
Network did everything I was hoping it would do, plus some. A satire such as this one needs to have a director who isn't afraid to say what's on his mind, much like Howard Beale. Fortunately, Sidney Lumet isn't crazy, just brilliant.
He has the guts to tell people that they are too stuck to their televisions without saying it in a nice way, such as a mother saying it politely to her 5 year old. Instead, crazy Howard Beale yells at his audience and tells them they are living a false life.
They get all of their information through television and television is what's supposed to be false. We are living too much through the tube. But people like Diana Christensen, the networks know how to grab their people and keep them to tune in for longer.
All of this is just a game for them. One thing I will never forget is towards the end when Christensen and the bosses of the Network sit around the office and decide that Howard Beale has to die, and they don't speak about him like he is a human being, but just a program that is ruining their network.
I really do feel like that's the way we are discussed behind closed doors. Network is full of brilliance and is definitely worthy of classic status.
This review of Network (1976) was written by Gordon S on 21 Feb 2011.
Network has generally received very positive reviews.
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