Sidney Lumet is one of cinema’s greatest directors. His groundbreaking film Network (1976) is without a doubt one of his most significant films and it carries as much meaning today as it did at the time of its release. The film one four Oscars in 1977 including best actor in a leading role (Peter Finch), best actress in a leading role (Faye Dunaway), best actress in a supporting role (Beatrice Straight) and best screenplay writing directly for screen (Paddy Chayefsky). It became only the second film to win three academy awards for acting after A Streetcar Named Desire achieved this feat in 1951. It is nominated for a further six awards but was overlooked for Best Picture, which went to Rocky. John G. Avildsen’s direction of Rocky also beat Sidney Lumet to the Best Director award. Peter Finch became the first actor to win an Academy Award posthumously.
Background and Story
1976 was a fantastic year for American cinema, with classics like Rocky, Taxi Driver and All the President's Men coming out that same year. Network has continued to receive the praise it deserves since the time of its release. For those who don’t know about this film, it can be described as a drama or a dark comedy. It is certainly a satirical film about a fictional television network UBS, whose poor ratings are threatening its very existence.
Howard Beale (Finch) becomes the first victim of the poor ratings and is given the sack by the network’s heads. As result, Beale’s mental health starts to decline and he threatens to kill himself live on air. Ironically, his confession gives his show the highest ratings it has had in years. This gives unethical and ruthless network executives Diane Christiansen (Dunaway) and Frank Hackett (Duvall) the idea to exploit Beadle’s mad ravings to get increased spectatorship for their nationwide network. William Holden plays Max Schumacher, a television veteran and long-time friend of Beale. He doesn’t want to see his friend exploited in such a manner and as a result of his disagreement with an unethical yet popular decision, is fired from the network. To make matters more complicated, Schumacher engages in an affair with Diane, who is much younger than he is.
Significance and Importance
Network’s appeal and importance is still applicable in today’s society. The film is set during an economic depression. Howard Beale’s disillusionment is the key to his popularity as his feelings correlate with the feelings of the American Society at large. Beale exclaims on national TV, "I’M MAD AS HELL, AND I’M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!" which becomes something of a catchphrase for the newly popularised television personality.
Although the film is about a television network, the satirical tone throughout, written in a masterful way by Paddy Chayefsky, denounces television as nothing more than an "idiot box." The film criticises television and the nature of its propaganda in both a dramatic and comedic way. The script really shines through in the way in which it is delivered by a superb ensemble cast. Faye Dunaway is excellent as a single-minded, career driven, ruthless young woman who only cares about ratings and getting ahead in the business she is in. Robert Duvall, who was amazingly overlooked for an Oscar nomination, gives a performance which is both a compelling and comical portrayal of a heartless character. William Holden’s character stands between the divide of right and wrong and Peter Finch’s portrayal of a man slowly sinking into madness on account of professional and societal pressures is peerless.
Final Say
The film foreshadows the consumerist society which defines America today. A sublime and powerful monologue delivered by Oscar nominee Ned Beatty as Arthur Jensen highlights this: "It is the international system of currency which determines the totality of life on this planet. That is the natural order of things today." Network is simply a timeless classic of American cinema, a must-see movie.
Tom Crowley - Tom Crowley is a student currently studying for an MA in Film Studies at University College Cork. He has written articles for the ...
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