Network (1976)

Network: Directed by Sidney Lumet. With Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch, Robert Duvall. A television network cynically exploits a deranged former anchor’s ravings and revelations about the news media for its own profit.

“To think that this blackest of black comedies was made in 1976 could only means two things: 1) Nothing has changed or 2) Paddy Chayefsky was seeing the future with the most disturbing clarity. I endorse the later of the two because I believe things have changed since 1974 – I wasnu0026#39;t born yet, but I know because of my parents, the movies, literature, etc, etc, etc. Peter Finch as the mad prophet of the airwaves gives Chayefsky a riveting and powerful voice. The scenes between old chums Finch and William Holden are some of the best written scenes in any American movie until the Coen brothers emerged. Finch is superb, superb! and Holden, at the end of a legendary career, gives a performance of such ferocious sincerity that I rediscovered the man, the actor and felt the need to revisit some of his opus. From Golden Boy to Sunset Boulevard, Holden was a man who carried his own discomfort as a weapon. Extraordinary! However, the most alarming character in the whole thing is Faye Dunawayu0026#39;s. She is magnificent in her thin, nervous, bra-less attitude. She is a monster of commercial amorality. Everything in this incredible movie moves with the precision of an inspired clairvoyantu0026#39;s vision. Duvallu0026#39;s executive, Beatrice Straightu0026#39;s betrayed wife and Ned Beattyu0026#39;s god like big shot makes this one of the most frightening, entertaining, funniest, remarkable film from the 70u0026#39;s. Sidney Lumet proves once more that heu0026#39;s as good as his material. Here he is at his zenith.”