"Network" is an excellent black comedy that attacks the television industry, its lust for ratings, and its willingness to sacrifice any standards necessary to achieve ratings. While some of the many speeches by the actors have more passion than spontaneity, they are well written, and the various plot lines fit together like a glove.
William Holden plays a world-weary news executive at money-losing television network UBS. Peter Finch is the long-time UBS news commentator. He is to be yanked from the air for low ratings, but in one of his last broadcasts threatens to commit suicide on the air. Audience reaction is sensational, and thanks to prodding from programmer Faye Dunaway, Finch keeps his job. The UBS evening news becomes an entertainment show, complete with psychics, gossips, and wild rantings from Finch, who closes each broadcast by fainting onstage.
Holden tries to fight the transformation of the
news show, and is fired by UBS boss Robert
Duvall. Duvall is even more ambitious and cynical
than Dunaway, and it is one of his most energetic
performances.
"Network" is unusual in that the two male leads
are men in late middle age. Both Finch and Holden
were nominated for Best Actor. Holden gives the
better performance, and has a magnificent
gravelly voice. However, Finch had died before
the awards ceremony, and his award for Best Actor
may have been for sentimental reasons.
Despite having a very small role, Beatrice
Straight won Best Supporting Actress. She plays
Holden's wife, who has been abandoned by Holden
for Dunaway. Straight and Holden have an argument
that is very well written and acted.
Dunaway also won an Oscar for Best Actress.
"Network" deservedly won Best Writing, and was
nominated for Best Cinematography, Film Editing,
Director (Sidney Lumet) and Best Picture. While
"Rocky" won that year, "Network" was the real
star of the 1977 Academy Awards. (82/100)
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