Broadcast News (1987)

Director:

James L. Brooks

Writer:

James L. Brooks (written by)

Release Date:

16 December 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

It's the story of their lives.

Plot:

Take two rival TV reporters: one handsome, one talented, both male. Add one producer, female. Mix well and watch the sparks fly.

Plot Keywords:

Reporter | Corporate Ladder | Satire | Workaholic | Work Ethic

Awards:

Nominated for 7 Oscars. Another 13 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

William Hurt	...	Tom Grunick
Albert Brooks	...	Aaron Altman
Holly Hunter	...	Jane Craig
Robert Prosky	...	Ernie Merriman
Lois Chiles	...	Jennifer Mack
Joan Cusack	...	Blair Litton (as Joan Cusak)
Peter Hackes	...	Paul Moore
Christian Clemenson	...	Bobby
Jack Nicholson	...	Bill Rorich
Robert Katims	...	Martin Klein
Ed Wheeler	...	George Wein
Stephen Mendillo	...	Gerald Grunick
Kimber Shoop	...	Young Tom
Dwayne Markee	...	Young Aaron
Gennie James	...	Young Jane

Runtime:

133 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (DeLuxe)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-10 | Netherlands:AL | Singapore:PG | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Baltimore-Washington International Airport, Maryland, USA

Company:

Amercent Films

Trivia:

Holly Hunter was cast two days before shooting was to begin to replace the pregnant Debra Winger, for whom the part had been written.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Tom is coaching Aaron on anchoring, he turns the camera on himself and adjusts it. Then a cameraman appears, then disappears.

Quotes:

Aaron Altman: Sorry... sex, tears... this must be the news.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip: The Focus Group (#1.3)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Midnight Train to Georgia

One of My Favorite Comedies

This movie is one of my favorite comedies of all time. The dialog is crisp, the pace is fast. Not only is this a clever comedy, this is an interesting look at what goes on behind the scenes in the television news business.

There are so many funny lines...a couple of my favorites:

Ernie Merriman: (sarcastically) It must be nice to always believe you know better, to always think you're the smartest person in the room. Jane: (seriously) NO, it's not, it's awful!!

Aaron: He must be good looking Jane: How do you know that? Aaron: No one invites a bad looking idiot to their room!

The performances of Holly Hunter, Albert Brooks, and William Hurt were absolutely brilliant! Even years later, I remember this movie well. Often forgotten is the wonderfully funny Joan Cusack! I love the scene where the newsroom personnel are racing to beat a deadline. There are so many funny scenes that it's hard to pick a favorite. I highly recommend this film.