Tonight, I watched a wonderful film from 1987 called Broadcast News.  Directed by James L. Brooks (best known for his Oscar-winning Terms of Endearment and for being one of the creators of The Simpsons), it tells the story of three very different people working together at the Washington bureau of a major network news program.  The trio quickly forms a love triangle that interacts with the trials and tribulations of reporting, including frantic deadlines and massive layoffs.  I find the movie outstanding for two principal reasons which, being a good friend, I’ll share (with clips!).

The first is simply that it’s a great romantic comedy that somehow feels the most realistic of any I’ve seen.  The characters are believable and heartwarming, and the ending forgoes the usual happily-ever-after in favor of something much more real (and, as a result, probably more moving).

The second reason is that though it was made two decades ago, Broadcast News is just as timely today.  Like its predecessor by ten years, Network, it touches on problems in our media that still trouble pundits and laymen alike.  Issues like the battle between real news and infotainment, the sacrificing of quality journalism in favor of ratings, and the struggle between bare facts and creative interpretation dominate the plot.  The conclusions Broadcast News reaches are far from comforting, leaving viewers smiling at the characters while shaking their heads in sobering resignation.

Here now . . . some great scenes!

This segment shows the excitement of live broadcasting as we see our three principals: eager anchor Tom Grunick (Oscar winner William Hurt), a good-looking and nice guy who’s a bit dumb; high-strung producer Jane Craig (Oscar winner Holly Hunter), a talented neurotic who’s a bit anxious; and slighted correspondent Aaron Altman (Oscar nominee Albert Brooks), a brilliant yet prickly reporter who’s a bit drunk:

Here's an amazing scene between Aaron and Jane: