• Latest
African Queen (1951)

Broadcast News (1987)

July 6, 2021
African Queen (1951)

Exodus (1960)

March 21, 2023
Just Some Thoughts

“Don’t Worry”

March 21, 2023
Job Training Well Done

Job Training Well Done

March 21, 2023

ACLU, Partners Call on Legislators to Oppose Plans for Prison Expansion

March 21, 2023

Conservation Supports New Farm In Central Vermont

March 21, 2023

Vermont Hunter Education Courses

March 15, 2023

Vermont Philharmonic and Green Mountain Youth Symphony Present “Awakenings: Music of Young Composers”

March 15, 2023

Central Vermont Council on Aging (CVCOA) Joins in Month-Long March for Meals Celebration with Communities Nationwide

March 15, 2023
African Queen (1951)

Divorce, Italian Style (1961)

March 15, 2023

Following Successful Public Pressure Campaign to Lower the Cost of Eli Lilly’s Insulin, Sanders and Bush Introduce Bill to Finish the Job and Cap the Price at $20 Per Vial

March 15, 2023
Udderly Crazy 4-H Club Members Take Part In 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl

Udderly Crazy 4-H Club Members Take Part In 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl

March 7, 2023
Hunger Free Vermont Receives $36,090 Nourishing Neighbors Grant from Shaw’s Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbor Campaign

Hunger Free Vermont Receives $36,090 Nourishing Neighbors Grant from Shaw’s Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbor Campaign

March 7, 2023
  • Home
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
The World Online
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News & Features
    • Local News
    • Letters & opinions
    • George Shuman
    • Max’s View
    • Local Sports & Outdoors
    • Births
  • Calendar
    • Art Exhibits
    • Calendar of Events
    • Ongoing Events
  • Obituaries
  • Submit
    • Submit Calendar Listing for Non-Profit Events
    • Submit An Article To The World
    • Submit Letter To The Editor
    • Submit Sports News/Photo
    • Submit Birth Announcement
    • Submit Engagement Announcement
    • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Advertising
    • World Rates and Ad Sizes
    • World Distribution Map
    • World Deadlines
    • Audit and Reader Surveys
    • Advertising Inquiry
  • Classifieds
    • Place Classified Ads
    • View Current Classifieds
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News & Features
    • Local News
    • Letters & opinions
    • George Shuman
    • Max’s View
    • Local Sports & Outdoors
    • Births
  • Calendar
    • Art Exhibits
    • Calendar of Events
    • Ongoing Events
  • Obituaries
  • Submit
    • Submit Calendar Listing for Non-Profit Events
    • Submit An Article To The World
    • Submit Letter To The Editor
    • Submit Sports News/Photo
    • Submit Birth Announcement
    • Submit Engagement Announcement
    • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Advertising
    • World Rates and Ad Sizes
    • World Distribution Map
    • World Deadlines
    • Audit and Reader Surveys
    • Advertising Inquiry
  • Classifieds
    • Place Classified Ads
    • View Current Classifieds
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The World Online
No Result
View All Result

Broadcast News (1987)

vt-world by vt-world
July 6, 2021
in Max's View
0
African Queen (1951)

I have two important rules when it comes to my work life.

Rule 1: always have a job working 40-hours a week. I don’t always like my job but I have stayed with it for 20 years and I will cling to it at all cost.

Rule 2: avoid working more than 40-hours a week. Brave Union visionaries fought for the 40-hour work week and I think they came up with the perfect number. A full-time job is great for a person’s dignity. More than that, and I may wonder where the job ends and my real life begins.

“Broadcast News” is a deceptively brilliant comedy about three very different people who all suffer from the same fatal flaw: they chose a stressful profession where their work is never done. And they can’t separate their work life from their home life.

The story takes place during the late 80s, back when some people still believed the news and television anchors were trusted members of many American families. We witness a few eventful weeks at the Washington DC bureau of a network news organization.

But that is the just the backdrop. This isn’t a satire about the media. This is a perfectly crafted romantic comedy about a doomed love triangle.

I can’t believe Holly Hunter didn’t win the Oscar for playing television producer Jane Craig. Jane is the first post-feminist hero in American cinema. She’s not trying to make it in a man’s world: all the men are trying to keep up with her.

Jane is plainly the hardest working and best qualified. She’s at her best when the pressure is highest. Her problem is what to do with herself when there isn’t a deadline to meet. She overthinks her private life and frequently breaks down in sobbing fits.

William Hurt is equally interesting as Tom Grunick: the new guy at the office. He has been promoted to network news because of his charm and his looks. He does not have the intelligence or the education of his colleagues and he knows it. He can be dishonest and manipulative.

In a normal movie, Tom would be the bad guy: the interloper, the lady killer, the mediocre white guy stealing a better person’s job. But writer/director James L. Brooks is too good for that. Tom knows he has a lot to learn and he is constantly picking the brains of his more knowledgeable co-workers. He is every bit as dedicated as Jane.

Possibly the most relatable character is Jane’s best friend Aaron Altman (Albert Brooks). He is trilingual, highly educated, and a substantive reporter. In his mind, he deserves to be an anchor and he deserves to win Jane’s heart.

We’ve all known men like Aaron. He thinks he’s losing at life because nice guys finish last. But he is not a nice guy. Aaron is arrogant, self-righteous, and judgmental.

In one ugly scene, Tom has done a piece about date rape and he is presenting it to everyone in the news room. It is not a traditional, objective news story but it is powerful and effective. Aaron just dismisses it. “You’ve really blown the lid off of nookie,” he scoffs. We all cringe.

When Aaron finally gets his chance to anchor, we know he is going to fail. It’s obvious to us that Tom deserves the job over Aaron; Aaron has to learn it the hard way. The scene is funny and satisfying.

I do not like romantic comedies at all. But James L. Brooks mastered the art. The only two rom-coms I enjoy are “Broadcast News” and “As Good as it Gets,” both made by the brilliant Mr. Brooks.

I can hardly think of anything worse than not having a job. Except, perhaps, having an important, stressful job that never ends like the poor people in “Broadcast News.” It’s a cautionary tale, a charming romantic comedy, and a 4-star classic.

Previous Post

RPR Driving School Ribbon Cutting

Next Post

Mayor’s Report – June 2021

Next Post
Mayor’s Report – September 2019

Mayor’s Report – June 2021

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This Week’s Ads

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
The World
403 US Route 302
Barre, VT 05641
Phone: (802) 479-2582

Copyright © 2019 The World Online. All Rights Reserved. Powered by CoolerAds.

No Result
View All Result
  • Art Exhibits
  • Audit and Reader Surveys
  • Births
  • Calendar
  • Contact Us
  • Daily Horoscope
  • Fall Guide
  • Food & Recipe
  • Home
  • Obituaries
  • Ongoing Events
  • Pay Your Bill Here
  • Senior Living Edition
  • Showtimes
  • Submit Birth Announcement
  • Submit Calendar Listing for Non-Profit Events
  • Submit Engagement Announcement
  • Submit Listing to our Local Directory
  • Submit Sports News/Photo
  • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Testimonials
  • The World Coupons
  • Weather Forecast
  • World Deadlines
  • World Distribution Map
  • World Rate Card
  • World Rates and Ad Sizes
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • About Us
  • Vermont Lottery
  • Advertising Information
  • The World Staff
  • Advertising Inquiry
  • Submit Letter To The Editor
  • Local Directory
  • Poll Results
  • Local Deals
  • Classifieds
  • Submit An Article To The World
  • Events
  • The World – This Week’s Online Digital Edition
  • The World Auto & Sports

Copyright © 2019 The World Online. All Rights Reserved. Powered by CoolerAds.

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In