William Holden was one of the premiere actors of the twentieth century. He starred in some groundbreaking films, Sunset Blvd., The Bridge on the River Kwai and The Wild Bunch among them. Holden stars in this movie as Max Schumacher, the cynical and jaundiced head of the fictional network,UBS. The network is in last place in the ratings. He has been given the unpleasant task of firing the anchor of the evening news,Howard Beale, (Peter Finch). He breaks the news to Beale over drinks at the local watering hole. This is probably the most entertaining scene in the movie. The two get drunk and share memories of their careers.
Howard Beale doesn’t take his firing very well. The next night, Beale announces that he will blow his brains out next week on the air. The executives are not pleased. Beale,in order to please them, makes an on air apology. Howard Beale, due to personal tragedy and his firing has become unhinged. He begins making statements on air, that express his unfiltered opinion. The character of Howard Beale, has one of the most famous quotes in the movies. He says, “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore.”Beale, while stating this, tells the audience, to open their window, and shout out this statement. They do this, including Max Schumacher’s daughter.This line is very effective, because Howard Beale,is soaking wet,having just come in from the rain.Sidney Lumet got the scene just right. This earned him the title the actor’s director.
UBS executive’s take advantage of Beale. They give him his own show, after his infamous rant. This is mainly because he brought up the ratings. He is allowed to say anything. The show gives him cult status, and puts the network over the top. This idea of exploiting Beale and his beliefs, belongs to Diana Christensen, (Faye Dunaway). She is the head of programming, who will do anything for ratings. She even creates a reality show, based on a radical group. It is amusing to see a group that fights the capitalist system, doing hard negotiating for money. Diana’s tactics attract Max Schumacher to her. The two begin an affair, but the attraction fades due to Diana’s win at all costs, mentality.This doesn’t faze Diana at all. Ratings are all that matter to her.
Howard Beale’s show is a major hit. The network has given him a blank check regarding his opinions. He stuns the network during one of his shows. He rants about the network and its ties to foreign governments. This prompts a call to Frank Hackett, (Robert Duvall), from Arthur Jensen, (Ned Beatty),the owner of UBS. There is a one on one meeting with Beale, explaining things. Jensen explains to the ranting newsman,that nothing matters in the world but money. Beale agrees.Howard Beale backs away from controversy and ratings slip. The network has a problem, because Howard Beale has a contract, and it will lose money, if they fire him.
Network is a fictional account of the television news industry. Networks were using every angle to present a news story. The characters were shadowy representations of news anchors, and those behind the news. The script was written by Paddy Cheyefsky. He was a veteran writer from television’s golden age. He collected his third Oscar for his screenplay. The characters although exaggerations are memorable. Peter Finch won an academy award, posthumously, having died not long after wrapping up the film. Faye Dunaway was also recognized for her work with an academy award. These awards are always controversial. Faye Dunaway was better in Bonnie and Clyde and Chinatown. She is one of many people whose work was better in other movies. William Holden gets lost in the shuffle, because of the stronger but irritating characters. Robert Duvall, is good as the heartless and cutthroat network executive. His character is quite a contrast from Tom Hagen in the first two Godfather movies. Robert Duvall was on his way to becoming on of america’s premiere screen actors.
Network is a movie that is typical of the decade. It is a satire about network news. It is typical of movies then, like The Godfather and Chinatown. The plot is strong, but there are no likable characters. The formula was the same for many years, until Jaws and Star Wars changed movies forever. Network is a movie that doesn’t have sympathetic characters, but does manage to have an idea about exploitation, selfishness and greed. It also makes a statement about the emptiness of adultery. This movie isn’t for everyone. It will show what films of the 1970’s were about.