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6.7/10 • 401

1987-12-162h 13m

ComedyRomance

It’s the story of their lives

Basket-case network news producer Jane Craig falls for new reporter Tom Grunnick, a pretty boy who represents the trend towards entertainment news she despises. Aaron Altman, a talented but plain correspondent, carries an unrequited torch for Jane. Sparks fly between the three as the network prepares for big changes, and both the news and Jane must decide between style and substance.

Directors
James L. Brooks
Editors
Richard Marks

Top Billed Cast

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  1. William Hurt

    William Hurt

    Tom Grunick

  2. Albert Brooks

    Albert Brooks

    Aaron Altman

  3. Holly Hunter

    Holly Hunter

    Jane Craig

  4. Robert Prosky

    Robert Prosky

    Ernie Merriman

  5. Lois Chiles

    Lois Chiles

    Jennifer Mack

  6. Joan Cusack

    Joan Cusack

    Blair Litton

  7. Peter Hackes

    Peter Hackes

    Paul Moore

  8. Christian Clemenson

    Christian Clemenson

    Bobby

  9. Jack Nicholson

    Jack Nicholson

    Bill Rorich

Reviews2

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Jun 18, 2022

7/10

Centred around the cut-throat environment of an American newsroom at a time when the focus of the bosses was switching from strong journalistic values to those more ratings-based, we are provided with this premiss. William Hurt ("Grunick") is certainly the more handsome man for the anchorman's chair, but he has nothing like the knowledge or gravitas of colleague and rival "Altman" (Albert Brooks) with his superior, borderline condescending on-screen style. Executive producer "Jane" (Holly Hunter) is charged with trying to keep things on an even keel, whilst unsure which, if either, of the two men she wants to date. At times there atmosphere here is electric, with quickly paced activity, acerbic wit and a wonderfully portrayed dog-eat-dog mentality that lends a great deal of authenticity to this most competitive of workplaces. Ocassionally, it is cluttered up by a romance that is simply not required - the triumvirate just didn't need it, but in the main Hunter is on super form. She effortlessly plays a multitude or roles as she tries to juggle her personal and professional feelings for these two men who offer us characterisations that we can laugh at and loathe in almost equal measure. I worked in live television for a great many years, and always admired the skills of those who can talk, listen, look and react all at the same time - the scene with poor old "Altman" losing half his bodyweight whilst on air still makes me squirm even now. It has lost some of its potency over the last 35 years, but recalling that this was amongst the first to illustrate just how tough these jobs are, it's still a great watch.

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$20,000,000.00
Revenue
$67,330,500.00
Keywords
journalistwashington dc, usalove triangleworkaholicjournalismtelevision producerneurotictv news anchor