Network

Satire is usually a genre of film that is lost on me. I tend to find it irritating and difficult to understand. However, Lumet's gem of a film forces me to rethink this position. I was never so interested in what a satire attempted to say as I was...(read more) with "Network". The performances were amazing. Peter Finch (who Tom Wilkinson may have looked to for inspiration for his role in "Michael Clayton") and Faye Dunaway both deservedly won Oscars for their portrayals of a newsman gone mad and a self-centered, power hungry network executive, respectively. Duvall, Holden, and Straight also give memorable performances. The direction by Lumet was spot-on. He enabled the viewer to enter the lives of these characters in a manner that was both smooth and effective. Finally, in what I believe was the best aspect of this film, the script by Paddy Chayefsky. From the memorable lines ("I'm mad as hell as I'm not going to take it anymore"), to his timeless message of greed and how money and power corrupt, especially in the business world, he crafted one of the best screenplays I have ever seen on the screen. A definite recommendation, especially for those who appreciate a solid script and story.

Grade: A