Review of Talk Radio (1988) by Adam K — 23 Sep 2010

A captivating look at the various angles of society's interaction with each other based on the concepts of corporate takeovers, differing political and social opinions and the general fact that we all have an inevitable tendency to be outspoken about what we think.

The film revolves around Barry Champlain, a loud, obnoxious, practically self-righteous talk radio host who finds joy in belittling the angry callers who phone his show on a regular basis. Director Oliver Stone does a great job capturing differing viewpoints from the callers, which range from racist conservatives to practical jokers to compassionate and caring individuals who support the show.

the catch behind much of the built anger during the setting's particular moment is that Chamblain's show will as of Monday night, not just be broadcast locally, but nationally. These elements raise tension between the protagonist and his producers as well as his callers, which from his hateful group have graduated from professed dislike towards the jock, to death threats.

Filmed entirely in Dallas, the film brilliantly captures the city I have lived in since I was ten years old. Every reference is top notch to the geographical setting of the city, name dropping suburbs such as Richardson, Rockwall, and Grapevine to name a few.

It is more than obvious that the writers did their research and Stone has a familiarity with the city, as this was the first, but not the last time that he shot a film in Dallas. Beyond each rant and each angry monologue that is spurted out in the plot, there lies a message here about how out own outspoken and almost self-righteous, even pretentious attitudes are tearing us further apart, leading to social division and even acts of hatred.

This film exposes no viewpoint as good or bad, but in equilibrium points out the flaws of a society that does not want to take the time to listen to nor understand each other.