Film Snail

6.7

Broadcast News

R·1987·133m

Comedy

Romance

Comedy

Romance

Summary

Basket-case network news producer Jane Craig falls for new reporter Tom Grunnick, a pretty boy who represents the trend towards entertainment news she despises. Aaron Altman, a talented but plain correspondent, carries an unrequited torch for Jane. Sparks fly between the three as the network prepares for big changes, and both the news and Jane must decide between style and substance.

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

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

Leo Burmester

Jane's Dad

Amy Brooks

Elli Merriman

Jane Welch

Anne Merriman

Jonathan Benya

Clifford Altman

Frank Doubleday

Mercenary

Sally Knight

Lila

Manuel Alvarez

Spanish Cameraman

Luis Valderrama

Guerilla Leader

Francisco Garcia

Guerilla Soldier

Richard Thomsen

General McGuire

Nat Benchley

Commander

Marita Geraghty

Date-Rape Woman

Nicholas D. Blanchet

Weekend News Producer

Maura Moynihan

Makeup Woman

Chuck Lippman

Floor Manager

Nannette Rickert

Paul's Secretary

Timothy W. White

Edward Towne

Peggy Pridemore

Tom's Soundwoman

Emily Crowley

Emily

Gerard Ender

Newsroom Worker

David Long

Donny

Joshua Billings

Chyron Operator

Glenn Faigen

Technical Director

Robert Grevemberg Jr.

Technical Director

Richard Pehle

Control Room Director

James V. Franco

Weekend News Director

Jimmy Mel Green

Assistant Director

Raoul N. Rizik

Assistant Director

Mike Skehan

Technician

Franklyn L. Bullard

Audio Visual Engineer

Glen Roven

News Theme Writer

Marc Shaiman

News Theme Writer

Alex Mathews

Lecture Host

Steve Smith

Aaron's Cameraman

Martha Smith

Aaron's Soundwoman

Cynthia B. Hayes

Mother in Hall

Dean Nitz

Young Tough

Phil Ugel

Young Tough

Lance Wain

Young Tough

Susan Marie Feldman

Ellen

Jean Bourne Carinci

Tom's Female Colleague

M. Fekade-Salassie

Cab Driver

Gerald F. Gough

Uniformed Cop

Robert Rasch

Defense Dept. Spokesman

Robert V. Walsh

NATO Spokesman

John Cusack

Angry Messenger

Crew

Director, Screenplay

James L. Brooks

Reviews

Geronimo1967

June 18, 2022

Centred around the cut-throat environment of an American newsroom at a time when the focus of the bosses was switching from strong journalistic values to those more ratings-based, we are provided with this premiss. William Hurt ("Grunick") is certainly the more handsome man for the anchorman's chair, but he has nothing like the knowledge or gravitas of colleague and rival "Altman" (Albert Brooks) with his superior, borderline condescending on-screen style. Executive producer "Jane" (Holly Hunter) is charged with trying to keep things on an even keel, whilst unsure which, if either, of the two men she wants to date. At times there atmosphere here is electric, with quickly paced activity, acerbic wit and a wonderfully portrayed dog-eat-dog mentality that lends a great deal of authenticity to this most competitive of workplaces. Ocassionally, it is cluttered up by a romance that is simply not required - the triumvirate just didn't need it, but in the main Hunter is on super form. She effortlessly plays a multitude or roles as she tries to juggle her personal and professional feelings for these two men who offer us characterisations that we can laugh at and loathe in almost equal measure. I worked in live television for a great many years, and always admired the skills of those who can talk, listen, look and react all at the same time - the scene with poor old "Altman" losing half his bodyweight whilst on air still makes me squirm even now. It has lost some of its potency over the last 35 years, but recalling that this was amongst the first to illustrate just how tough these jobs are, it's still a great watch.