Network

directed by Sidney Lumet
List(s):"Movie One"
Category: "Drama"
Year of Release:1976
Date Added:12/31/2014
Date Watched:09/09/2015
Description:AFI Top 100

Howard Beale (Peter Finch) is a network news anchor. When he gets fired for low ratings, he goes crazy and announces that he will kill himself on the air in one week. The network, led by Frank Hackett (Robert Duvall) and Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway) decide to exploit Beale by giving him his own weekly show on which to rant about the condition of America. His friend, Max (William Holden) is opposed and soon fired (although he sticks around in the movie because he has an affair with Diana). When Beale is convinced that big business is the only America that matters, he changes his tune and his ratings drop, so Frank and Diana have him gunned down live on the air.
My Rating:4

Reviews for Network

Review - Network

A cynical look at television and how exploitative it is. The movie is considered a classic for pointing out the future, with scandal and "reality" television as entertainment. That may be so, but I've personally responded by turning it off and didn't really enjoy having it smeared in my face by this movie. There were no characters to root for. It didn't miss an opportunity to throw in pointless crude language. It seemed to be saying, "Hey, it's all filth. Let's admit it and wallow in it."

Reviewed by Roger on 2015-09-09 19:02:30

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