Review of Talk Radio (1988) by Stuart K — 30 Dec 2012
Between making Wall Street (1987) and Born on the Fourth of July (1989), Oliver Stone made this drama, adapted from the play by Eric Bogosian and Tad Savinar, which in turn was adapted from the book Talked to Death: The Life and Murder of Alan Berg by Stephen Singular.
It's an underrated film by Stone, but it has a brilliant lead performance and it shows the dangers of fame and members of the public. In Dallas, Texas. Jewish radio personality Barry Champlain (Bogosain) hosts a provocative and controversial phone-in radio show, Barry has a knack for talking down to radio listeners and having quite extreme liberal views.
Despite misgivings, his boss Dan (Alec Baldwin), announces that Barry's show is to go nationwide across America. It's the moment Barry has been waiting for, but the good news couldn't have come at a worst time.
Because Barry has been sent death threats and even suspect packages in the post. His rise to fame starts to alienate him from his friends, family and work colleagues, and it drives Barry to insanity. It's a dark chamber piece, and Stone dials it back a tad for this film, but it has a raw, powerful energy.
Playwright Bogosain puts in a brilliantly obnoxious performance, and it shows that in the loneliness of a radio studio, it's true what they say, it's lonely at the top.
This review of Talk Radio (1988) was written by Stuart K on 30 Dec 2012.
Talk Radio has generally received positive reviews.
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