Amazon.com Essentials:
Holly Hunter plays a network news producer who, much to her
chagrin, finds herself falling for pretty-boy anchorman William
Hurt. He is all glamour without substance and represents a hated shift
from hard news toward packaged "infotainment," which Hunter
despises. Completing the triangle is Albert Brooks, who provides
contrast as the gifted reporter with almost no presence on camera. He
carries a torch for Hunter; she sees merely a friend. Written and
directed by James L. Brooks, this shows remarkable insight into the
people who make television. On the surface it is about that love
triangle. If you look a little deeper, however, you will see that this
behind-the-scenes comedy is a very revealing look at obsessive
behavior and the heightened emotions that accompany adrenaline
addiction. It is for good reason this was nominated for seven Academy
Awards (though it did not win any). There are scenes in this movie you
cannot shake, such as Hunter's scheduled mini-breakdowns, or Brooks's
furious "flop sweat" during his tryout as a national anchor. Watch for
an uncredited Jack Nicholson as a senior newscaster. --Rochelle
O'Gorman
