Network (1976)

This week Rob pick this classic Oscar winning film, let’s see what I think

 

Director: Sidney Lumet

Writer: Paddy Chayefsky (Screenplay)

Starring: Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch, Robert Duvall, Wesley Addy, Ned Beatty

 

Plot: A television network cynically exploits a deranged former anchor’s ravings and revelations about the news media for its own profit.

 

There may be spoilers the rest of the review

 

Verdict: Ranting Classic

 

Story: Network starts when Howard Beale (Finch) a news anchor is being let go because of poor ratings, he announces a two week before his ‘retirement’ that he is going to kill himself live on air. The network decides to fire him before this happening but when Diana Christensen (Dunaway) sees the ratings she suggest bring him back along with his head of new Max Schumacher (Holden) as ruthless new owner Frank Hackett (Duvall) wants to see ratings rise.

The rating continues to grow leading to Howard becoming a hit but just how much do the network really care about what he is saying and will he follow through with what he says.

Network really is a film that I can understand why it is rated so highly but I didn’t enjoy, nearly every character gives epic rants about life which end up coming off very repetitive once we heard them all once. We do get to see the cut throat world of entertainment world but by then it all ends up making the lives of the characters feel like a television show. The social commentary does work well about how the general public can be blinded by bigger stories.

 

Actor Review

 

Faye Dunaway: Diana Christensen is the ruthless lady in the network who wants to make Howard Beale the biggest name on the station with the highest ratings, she will take chance other wouldn’t but she really is just compensation for something else. Faye gives a great performance as a very independent woman in a world way before its time.

 

William Holden: Max Schumacher is the former new head who gets fired once Howard is getting too big for him to bad able to handle or take serious. He gets involved in a relationship with Diana which puts his own marriage in danger. William gives a good performance in this role.

 

Peter Finch: Howard Beale is the news anchor who is threatening to kill himself after the network decides to force him into retire, but when people start tuning into his news reports he becomes an overnight success as a ranting man the nation starts to follow him. Peter gives the most memorable performance as he goes through the most rants.

 

Robert Duvall: Frank Hackett is the new network President that is desperate to become the next big thing and he see Howard as a way to make himself the biggest name in the network. Robert continued to show how much a consistent performer.

 

Support Cast: Network has typical network performance from the supporting cast that all work well for the roles being played.

 

Director Review: Sidney Lumet – Sidney gives us a great idea behind the film but sadly it has started to feel dated now.

 

Drama: Network brings us lots of character ranting and screaming in a cut throat world.

Settings: Network keeps most of the action inside the network studio showing how things are closely knit to make sure we see how fast things come in and out of popularity.

Suggestion: Network is one to watch once to see how well the films used to be made. (Watch)

 

Best Part: Peter Finch

Worst Part: Too much ranting.

 

Believability: No

Chances of Tears: No

Chances of Sequel: No

Post Credits Scene: No

 

Oscar Chances: Won 4 Oscars and 5 Nomination

Budget: $3,8 Million

Runtime: 2 Hour 1 Minute

Tagline: Television will never be the same!

 

Overall: Brilliant cinema but too much ranting for my liking.

Rating