Network, 1976 - ★★★★★
REVIEWED
This corporate satire is director Sidney Lumet's (with the aid of writer Paddy Chayefsky) supremely sharp and articulate masterpiece. Plot follows a soon to be put to pasture news anchorman Howard Beale. Out of shock and his own self emptiness he suffers a mental breakdown and tells his dwindling viewer base hes going to kill himself live on air. His outburst sparks a ratings surge, so much the execs at his TV Network, decide to capitalize on Howard's new found public popularity for their own benefit.
Story plays out like an allegory for Illuminati styled faceless elites in power, and how global corporations have become bigger than countries & religions. Though the central theme is clearly manipulation, like how television media manipulates its viewers and also those who work in it.
The actings superb, its Peter Finch who steals the film, but both William Holden & Faye Dunaway give brilliant powerhouse performances. So do both Robert Duvall and Ned Beatty.
[PRFR: Personal Reasons For Remembering]
Its 70's chic at its very best, Holden
Originally taken from Letterboxd
REVIEWED
"I just ran out of bullshit"
Howard Beale (Peter Finch)
This corporate satire is director Sidney Lumet's (with the aid of writer Paddy Chayefsky) supremely sharp and articulate masterpiece. Plot follows a soon to be put to pasture news anchorman Howard Beale. Out of shock and his own self emptiness he suffers a mental breakdown and tells his dwindling viewer base hes going to kill himself live on air. His outburst sparks a ratings surge, so much the execs at his TV Network, decide to capitalize on Howard's new found public popularity for their own benefit.Story plays out like an allegory for Illuminati styled faceless elites in power, and how global corporations have become bigger than countries & religions. Though the central theme is clearly manipulation, like how television media manipulates its viewers and also those who work in it.
The actings superb, its Peter Finch who steals the film, but both William Holden & Faye Dunaway give brilliant powerhouse performances. So do both Robert Duvall and Ned Beatty.
[PRFR: Personal Reasons For Remembering]
Its 70's chic at its very best, Holden
No comments:
Post a Comment