Coronado Island Film Festival is all about movies, so naturally we love it when we find one that gets everything right: the writing, the directing, the acting, the cinematography, the location, everything. \u201cBroadcast News\u201d (1987) is one of those.<\/p>\n
Even though it was nominated for seven Academy Awards and five Golden Globes, we had almost forgotten about it until we were scrolling through Facebook and came across a post by Ken Fitzgerald that he\u2019d watched it with his family and \u201cit still holds up.\u201d You know Ken \u2013 a well-written political opinion piece with his name on it is most likely included in this week\u2019s edition of this newspaper. You\u2019ll also find his name on just about every top-lawyer award list there is, and he\u2019s a professional musician – currently principal trumpet of the La Jolla Symphony. And, as our luck would have it, Ken Fitzgerald is also a good friend to CIFF. He and his wife, Coronado City Architect Ruby Carr, have generously sponsored the prestigious Emerald Award at our film festival every year, which offers a cash prize for the one film that stands out above the others to remind us that each of us has the power to be a force for good in the world.. Thanks again, Ken and Ruby!<\/p>\n
\u201cBroadcast News\u201d is a wonderful, fast and funny rollercoaster of a film starring Holly Hunter, William Hurt and Albert Brooks, written and directed by James L. Brooks, and even including an un-billed appearance by the great Jack Nicholson in a minor role (unpaid at his request). Some of Hollywood\u2019s top talent together right there. Hunter, Hurt, Albert Brooks and James Brooks were all nominated for Oscars.<\/p>\n
The film is set in glorious Washington, D.C. at a time when television news was just that \u2013 news \u2013 which America tuned in to every night to learn what had happened in the world that day. It was devoid of \u201copinion,\u201d those nice days before we were inundated by today\u2019s 24\/7 tedium of cable news networks trying to tell us how to think.<\/p>\n
Hunter is perfectly cast as Jane Craig, a pretty, brainy young television news producer who really knows her stuff. She inadvertently finds herself at the center of a news station love triangle with her \u201cbest friend\u201d Aaron (Albert Brooks), who is secretly, hopelessly in love with her, and Tom (William Hurt), the handsome, inexperienced, not-so-brilliant new anchor who is used to \u201cgetting the girl.\u201d Jane, as we come to realize, is mostly in love with her job, a woman who is the smartest person in the room and knows it. What\u2019s fun to see, looking back from today\u2019s vantage point, is that Jane got to where she is completely on her own, with her own wits and determination, and the men around her recognize, respect and applaud that, and collectively stand a bit in awe of her.<\/p>\n
James L. Brook\u2019s one-liners come at you fast and furious, brilliantly written and brilliantly executed. Albert Brooks, one of Hollywood\u2019s most gifted actors, writers and directors, nearly steals every scene he\u2019s in, such as when he plaintively asks the question, \u201cWouldn\u2019t it be great if needy were a turn-on?\u201d His \u201csweating scene\u201d will have you laughing out loud.<\/p>\n
We found \u201cBroadcast News\u201d on Amazon Prime for a small, well-spent rental fee. Enjoy the ride.<\/p>\n
As summer is officially upon us, CIFF is in the process of exploring some great, innovative ways to safely celebrate our fifth anniversary come Nov. 11-15. We\u2019ll keep you posted as plans develop. Please be a regular visitor to our website \u2013 it\u2019s constantly updated with news and new opportunities, www.coronadofilmfest.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n We have been humbled during these past several months to witness this community coming together in support of one another, and we are honored to be part of a city that embraces the Cultural Arts as a vibrant and vital part of the quality of life so unique and treasured in Coronado!<\/p>\n Meantime, we hope this finds you healthy and safe as Coronado continues to navigate these uncertain COVID times. Please keep supporting our local restaurants and businesses, and remember, \u201cMasks are cool\u201d\u2026. Just ask any super hero!<\/p>\n