Broadcast News (1987)
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A news producer, a reporter, and a telegenic anchor navigate the high-pressure world of television journalism while navigating their own complex personal dynamics.
The story
Jane Craig is a news producer who is passionate about reporting and abhors the trend towards soft news in broadcasts. Her best friend and collaborator, Aaron Altman, is a writer and reporter lacking in social skills. The two work in the Washington, D.C. bureau of a national TV network. The bureau hires Tom Grunick, a local news anchor who is handsome, likable, and telegenic but lacks news experience and isn't especially bright. The story follows their professional interactions and personal lives as they navigate the demands of the news cycle and the evolving landscape of television media.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Jane Craig and Aaron Altman work in a Washington, D.C. news bureau until the network hires Tom Grunick, a telegenic but inexperienced anchor. After reporting on the Contras in Nicaragua, Aaron and Jane provide footage that wins Tom's approval. During a special report on a Libyan bombing, Jane feeds Aaron's information to Tom via earpiece, leading to a successful broadcast and an intensifying mutual attraction between Jane and Tom. Tom later creates a date rape piece where he stages tears, a move Jane eventually discovers. Amidst network layoffs, Aaron struggles with a disastrous weekend broadcast while Jane and Tom progress romantically. After a heated argument where Aaron confesses his love, Tom is moved to London and Jane is promoted. Before Aaron leaves for Portland, Jane confronts Tom at the airport about his breach of journalistic ethics regarding the staged tears. Seven years later, the trio reunites: Tom is a national anchor, Aaron has a family, and Jane is moving to New York for a managing editor role, where she will work with Tom again.
- First release year
- 1987
- Runtime (minutes)
- 133
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- James L. Brooks
- Writers
- James L. Brooks · writer; James L. Brooks · producer; James L. Brooks · director
- Cast and characters
- William Hurt · Tom Grunick; Albert Brooks · Aaron Altman; Holly Hunter · Jane Craig; Robert Prosky; Lois Chiles; Joan Cusack; Jack Nicholson
- Genres
- romantic comedy-drama; satirical
- Themes
- Journalistic ethics; Ambition; Personal vs. Professional life
- Tone and mood
- Satirical; Dramatic
- Premise and plot tags
- Journalism; Television; Romance
- Reception
- The film was acclaimed by critics and was placed on 61 "ten-best" lists, making it the most acclaimed film of 1987. It received universal acclaim and was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 98% · review count: 59; Metacritic · score: 84% · review count: 16
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Awards · Best Picture · 60th · Nomination; AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies · Nominated · 1998 · Nomination; AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) · Nominated · 2007 · Nomination
- Production trivia
- The character of Jane Craig was based on journalist and news producer Susan Zirinsky.; Principal photography began in Washington, D.C. and wrapped in Florida.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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