Broadcast News - R

Witty TV newsroom tale for mature comedy fans.

Rating: R for Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Directed By: James Brooks Cast: Albert Brooks, Holly Hunter, William Hurt Running Time: 133 minutes Release Date: 12/16/1987 Genre: Comedy

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this movie is heavy on dialogue and "grown-up" humor and a better choice for mature teens and up. Characters discuss journalistic ethics and pose occasionally existential questions about life, careers, love, and success. Sexual content includes rear male nudity and a discussion of date rape for a news story. Violence is mild with some background shooting during one journalist's field report. Characters are realistically flawed and self-absorbed, but work together in a supportive way.

Families can talk about whether this is an accurate depiction of TV journalism. Why does Jane get so upset when she learns Tom faked crying during a report? Do you think this type of reporting is more or less common today? Why does Jane, a producer with strong ideals, struggle with her attraction to Tom? Why is it hard for these characters to have "normal" personal lives? How do their personalities make them suited for this type of work?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Teresa Talerico

BROADCAST NEWS is a brisk, witty romantic comedy about the personalities behind network TV news. Set in the fast-paced Washington, D.C., bureau of an unnamed network, the film focuses on three main characters: Jane (Holly Hunter), a talented, highly intelligent, and high-strung producer who is great at her job but lousy at her personal life; Tom (William Hurt), a handsome, dim reporter who is ambitious but superficial; and Aaron (Albert Brooks), a smart, experienced reporter often overlooked for anchor spots because he lacks on-camera charisma.

The movie opens with funny vignettes from their childhoods, where their young personalities hint at the adults they will become. Fast-forward to the present. Tom, an admittedly underqualified TV sports reporter, has just been hired for a news job at Jane and Aaron's bureau, much to their chagrin. "I'm not here to teach remedial reporting," Jane coolly quips to Tom when he asks for her guidance.

Brooks and Hunter are excellent as longtime colleagues and friends. They obviously have a deep respect for each other and the kind of history where he can say, "I'll meet you at the place near the thing where we went that time," and she'll know exactly what he means. However, Aaron also carries a torch for Jane, and he stews when she becomes attracted to Tom, whom she doesn't respect professionally but can't resist physically.

The movie offers a breathless behind-the-scenes look at TV journalism. The newsroom scenes, in particular, are a treat to watch: Joan Cusack galloping frantically through the bureau to deliver a videotape with seconds to spare; Tom giving Aaron tips on anchoring and camera appeal; Jane talking Tom through a special report on Libya. And the scene where Aaron finally gets a stab at anchoring is priceless. Indeed, Brooks gets some of the best lines and dialogue -- his speech about Tom, his musings on "slipping," his heartfelt admissions to Jane, to name a few -- and he gives his character a profound depth as that smart, sensitive, sometimes cruelly sardonic guy who doesn't get the girl but enjoys intellectually intimidating the guy who does.

It's fun to watch the male posturing between him and Hurt, who is also good -- if a bit wooden -- as someone who has coasted on his looks most of his life. And Hunter crackles in her role, bringing spirit, charm, and warmth to a character that might have been one-dimensional in the hands of a lesser actress.

Viewers who liked this movie might also enjoy The Paper, When Harry Met Sally, or Network. For lowbrow newsroom laughs try Anchorman.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content A couple is shown in the bedroom after sex with a brief rear shot of the man. The shadow his erection makes on the wall is played for laughs. A man compares working with a woman to "great sex." Some propositions, kissing, and fondling, and plenty of sexual tension. A woman slips a package of condoms in her purse before going out for the night. A TV reporter covers a story on date rape; he interviews a victim who describes an attack.
Violence After he gets beaten up in a schoolyard, a boy has a bloody mouth. Shooting erupts while a news crew reports on a rebel army in a Central American jungle. The news bureau does a special report on a Libyan plane that shot at an American base in Sicily.
Language Some profanity, including "f--k," "damn," "ass," "hell," "asshole," "prick," "bastard," "goddamnit."
Message
	Social Behavior After he gets beaten up in a schoolyard, a boy has a bloody mouth. Shooting erupts while a news crew reports on a rebel army in a Central American jungle. The news bureau does a special report on a Libyan plane that shot at an American base in Sicily.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Characters are shown drinking beer, wine, and cocktails. One character gets drunk in his home on "screwdrivers." A woman asks her date if he's OK to drive after they leave a restaurant; the scene implies that he has been drinking.