Network (1976)
Directed by Sidney Lumet. Starring Peter Finch and Faye Dunaway.
I’ve recently been on a spree of diving headfirst into random movies I’m seeing for the first time. A small foible of mine that I’ve been trying to break is checking out the general critical reception of a film beforehand, so being able to experience this one without any expectations was a decision I’m glad I made.
Without giving too much away, Network explores, in a cynical manner, the exploitative and faux nature of media ecosystems that thrive on outrage culture.
While experiencing a late-life crisis in the twilight of his career, news anchor Howard Beale (played by Peter Finch) conducts a series of alarming, impromptu outbursts on live television. When Max Schumacher (played by William Holden), both a longtime friend of Howard’s and the head of the network’s news division, attempts to convince the clearly troubled man to resign with what dignity he has left, the network intervenes. Howard’s general message of discontent with the world and the powers that be gives the network a spike in viewership. Seeing the competitive edge this provides, programming chief Diana Christensen (played by Faye Dunaway) convinces Max to turn Howard’s mental ravings into their own program.
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