NETWORK (1976) TV profits and prophets

In NETWORK, penned by the prolific Paddy Chayefsky and directed by Sidney Lumet, a profit-mad TV network exploits the mad ravings and revelations of an ex-TV news-anchorman. This is a cynical, satirical take on the hollow, lurid world of television journalism, where entertainment value and short-term ratings are more crucial than quality (remind you of last year's GOODNIGHT AND GOOD LUCK?); and it combines drama, black comedy and farce into one big fat cautionary package. Spot-on performances by William Holden, Robert Duvall, Ned Beaty and Faye Dunaway, plus, in his final performance, Peter Finch as Howard Beale, the unbalanced anchorman who gives the world the phrase, I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore! Finch won a well-deserved Oscar, posthumously. If you've never seen NETWORK or not for a long time, check it out. Given the state of the media today, I'd say Beale wasn't mad - he was prophetic. (Trivia note: Chayefsky tried acting, but not for long. Look for his fleeting appearance as a news photog in A DOUBLE LIFE, reviewed elsewhere on this blog. Thank goodness he turned to writing and gave us such screenplays as Marty, The Bachelor Party, The Goddess, The Americanization of Emily, The Hospital, and Altered States.)