Broadcast News – 1987
This is a smart movie. It has an interesting script that makes you use your brain, well developed characters, and a satisfying ending. It is billed as a romantic comedy/drama, all of which is true. The cast of actors really pulled it all off with skill, making the complex motivations of the characters look natural and easy.
The film had three leads. Holly Hunter played Jane Craig, a smart, driven, modern, career oriented girl. She is a news producer that believes in delivering news that matters while following a strict ethical code. Albert Brooks played Aaron Altman, a brilliant news reporter who has dreams of becoming a TV anchorman, though he has serious self-confidence issues. And completing the trio is William Hurt, who played Tom Grunick. He is a charismatic pretty boy who has never been very smart or well-educated. He has achieved success as a TV news anchor, mostly relying on his natural charm and good looks. He has dreams of being a serious reporter.
The film’s drama comes out on multiple levels. Aaron is a reporter who wants to be an anchorman. Tom is an anchorman who wants to be a reporter. And Jane is the producer who stands between them. But then the script goes deeper to a more personal level. Aaron is in love with Jane. Jane is in love with Tom. Tom is in love with himself. Tom respects Aaron professionally. Aaron thinks Tom is a moron. Jane likes Aaron as a friend. She lusts after Tom, but has real issues with his questionable ethics.
The film goes along exploring these interpersonal relationships, set against the backdrop of the news station as it tries to deliver meaningful news stories to the public. Tom seems to be on the fast track to success. Aaron, though smarter than most of his peers, is largely being professionally screwed, being passed over for the more charismatic Tom. And then there is Jane who works hard for her success in a male dominated profession. Obviously, I think the best thing about this movie is the motivations of the three leads, so I’d like to take a moment to say what I liked about each of the complex characters. What made them so well-written?
Let’s look at Jane. While Holly Hunter did a good job, I think her character was the least interesting of the trio. They made the point of showing her bursting out into tears at several points during the movie, making the point that she was not in full control of her emotions. She immediately recognizes that Tom isn’t smart enough to be a credible reporter, but she, like everyone else, eventually falls under his spell, all the while hating herself for doing so.
Aaron’s character was great because though he was smart, he was ultimately defined by his lack of self-confidence, an interesting trait you don’t often see in a lead. This problem manifests itself in several ways. For years, he has been carrying a torch for Jane, but because he has no self-confidence, he never acts on it. He has also wanted to be a TV Anchor, but when he is given the chance, his low self-confidence causes him to mess it up so badly, he will never get another chance. Aaron’s confusion and frustration at his lack of success, though he knew that he was smarter than his co-workers, was wonderfully portrayed.
But to me, the most interesting of the three was Tom. And what made him so fascinating was the fact that Tom knew he wasn’t smart. He knew, and was both frustrated and disappointed in himself that he could deliver the news with a confident smile, but had almost no understanding of what he was reporting. He was aware that he was coasting by on his looks and charm, but knew of no other way to succeed. One memorable little scene in which he tried to coach Aaron on how to be an anchorman in front of a camera was so well-written. He might not be smart about world events or politics, but he knew how to sell a story with confidence, which is what an anchorman must be able to do.
And the great ending was perfectly written. Jane chooses her desire for Tom over her friendship with Aaron, but turns against Tom when she discovers his complete lack of work ethics. Tom is promoted to a prominent position in London. Jane gets a big promotion and stays in Washington DC. And Aaron accepts a job as a reporter in an obscure news station, far away from them both. Not exactly a happy ending, but one that made a lot of sense.