Search - Broadcast News

Writer/director/producer James L. Brooks scores on all counts with this clear-eyed look at the television news business and the dysfunctional types who work in it. Brooks' intelligent script introduces us to Jane Craig (Holly Hunter), an ambitious producer at the network news division's Washington D.C. branch, who is calm under fire yet has a good cry at her desk every morning over her empty personal life. Jane works well with Aaron Altman (Albert Brooks), an excellent reporter who lacks the visual charisma to make him a star. Into their lives comes Tom Grunick (William Hurt), a regional newscaster who admits he can't write news and doesn't understand many of the events he's covering, but has the presence and physical appeal that the increasingly entertainment-oriented network wants for its news programs. Jane is also physically attracted to him, which drives her crazy, because Grunick stands for everything she's fighting against in the news business, while Altman is devastated by her attraction because he secretly yearns for Jane. As Grunick becomes a rising star at the network, and layoffs of the old guard loom, the three leads deal with their feelings for each other, their careers, and their values. Hunter, Hurt, and Brooks are all superb, as is the excellent supporting cast (including an unbilled turn by Jack Nicholson as the network's smarmy national anchor). Brooks' script is funny, poignant, gritty, and brutally honest in its examinations of the television industry and the ways in which professionals interact on and off the job. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide

William Hurt - Tom Grunick
Albert Brooks - Aaron Altman
Holly Hunter - Jane Craig
Robert Prosky - Ernie Merriman
Lois Chiles - Jennifer Mack
Joan Cusack - Blair Litton
Jack Nicholson - Bill Rorich

1986	Best Actress (winner)	Los Angeles Film Critics Association	Holly Hunter
1987	Best Director (nominee)	Directors Guild of America	James L. Brooks
1987	Best Actor (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	William Hurt
1987	Best Actress (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Holly Hunter
1987	Best Cinematography (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Michael Ballhaus
1987	Best Editing (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Richard Marks
1987	Best Original Screenplay (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	James L. Brooks
1987	Best Picture (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	James L. Brooks
1987	Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Pic (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Albert Brooks
1988	Silver Bear for Best Actress (winner)	Berlin International Film Festival	Holly Hunter
1987	Best Actress (winner)	National Board of Review	Holly Hunter
1987	Best Actor (winner)	New York Film Critics Circle	Jack Nicholson
1987	Best Actress (winner)	New York Film Critics Circle	Holly Hunter
1987	Best Director (winner)	New York Film Critics Circle	James L. Brooks
1987	Best Screenplay (winner)	New York Film Critics Circle	James L. Brooks

James L. Brooks' superb Broadcast News comes to DVD with a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. A closed-captioned English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Surround, and a French soundtrack has been recorded in Dolby Digital Mono. English and Spanish subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include the original theatrical trailer. This is a fine release from 20th Century Fox, but one can hope for a deluxe edition at some point in the future. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

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