Review of Network (1976) by Elliott F — 13 Jan 2011
Paddy Chayefsky is rightfully regarded as one of the greatest (if not the greatest) American satirists of the 20th century, and his excellent screenplay to Network is a good example of his genius. Network chronicles the story of Howard Beale, "the first known instance of a man who was killed because he had lousy ratings.
" Beale (played by Peter Finch, who posthumously won 1976's Best Actor Oscar) is gradually descending (or has he already descended?) into insanity, and what begins as a genuine, angry outcry on national TV turns into a farce that pokes fun at the network television industry with appropriate Chayefsky wit.
Faye Dunaway is very good as Diana, a ruthless and very attractive TV executive (she won 1976's Best Actress Oscar), Robert Duvall is excellent as always, and Beatrice Straight comes in and yells for a little bit, but still manages to move the viewer with her limited screentime (she joins the ranks of Gloria Grahame and Judi Dench as those who won an Oscar for what is essentially a cameo).
Best in show here, however, is William Holden, playing Beale's longtime friend who is seeing the values of network television he helped build disintegrate before his very eyes. The main problem I have with the film is that, while it is a satire, everything is just so heavy-handed.
Every single character has to YELL TO GET HIS POINT ACROSS. EVERYTHING IS SAID IN THE HEAT OF RAGE AND IT'S JUST SO BLASTED IMPORTANT THAT THEY SCREAM. After all, they are mad as hell, and they're definitely not going to take it anymore.
Despite this, the film is watchable, and seems to have defined a generation. I just wish it wasn't so loud.
This review of Network (1976) was written by Elliott F on 13 Jan 2011.
Network has generally received very positive reviews.
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