Network – Still relevant today (almost)

I know it’s very controversial to actually want a classic film to be remade and, although 1976’s ‘Network’ still holds up in today’s world, the problem with social commentary is that it only applies to the time period it was written about.  Now, it does feel a little dated and you could almost see the same film being rewritten with social media (for example) being the central theme, rather than a big cable news network.

In ‘Network’ a news anchorman Howard Beale (Peter Finch) has, what could be described as a ‘nervous breakdown’ live on air and he ends up spouting off ‘anti-establishment’ rhetoric which went against the powers in control of the organisation.  Instead of firing him (which they nearly did!) they decide to ‘use’ him and give him his own on-air ‘soapbox’ in an attempt to keep their enemies closer and, if possible, control him.

The other two central characters are played by Faye Dunaway as heartless corporate executive Diana Christensen and a slightly more torn corporate executive played by William Holden, as Max Schumacher.  Dunaway is possibly far more memorable as the ‘evil’ one of the pair, but each have a role to play as they offer both sides of the moral aspect of their actions concerning what to do with their ‘pawn’ Howard Beale.

The film is pretty standard when it comes to direction.  There’s no real neat camera tricks used that make the film stand out and possibly the editing is the only thing that bothered me.  The film is quite long and it does tend to drag in places here and there.  It’s a bit up and down as you get one classic scene which will stay with you forever, followed by one that doesn’t really go anywhere.

If you’re at all interested in the media and its recent (well, 1970s) history then you’ll definitely enjoy this.  There is definitely relevance here as to how one person can start trends in order to ‘fight back against the powers that be’ only to be corrupted completely by the very people he’s trying to make a stand against.  I definitely think that a modern remake may be interesting (if it was handled right) and social media would be the subject of how the masses are influenced.  However, if the subject doesn’t interest you then the performances should make it essential viewing for fans of good cinema.

7/10 if I woke up on Groundhog Day and had to watch this again, I could live with that