These characters are to die for. Acting is truly amazing. The story is rather bland and becomes even somewhat tedious near the end, but the acting and the dialogues are so terrific that I forgive the somewhat bland ending.The story is about 2 competing news men and one woman: William Hurt, Albert Brooks and Holly Hunter. Besides the fact that these 2 guys are competing who is the best at covering news they are also competing for the same girl. Who gets the girl? Who gets the most prestigeous job? That's the suspense. The story may sound rather cheap, it is kind a, but that doesnt matter. This movie is all about budding romances and the insecurities that we all have when we first start longing for someone but dont dare speak out about it. Love hurts. Even when you are an middle aged adult. Love never becomes easier...The story ends on a melancolic note. That's unexpected, because the movie started so upbeat and joyous. But I must admit that the director did achieve to make these characters become so real. That is so refreshing. True to life characters, I long for that so much in every movie I see, because when I truly feel with all my heart that those characters could be friends or family of mine, I can get lost into the fantasy of the story. I need realism first, to lose myself in fantasy. Does that make sense? I truly felt after seeing "Broadcast News" that I had to part with some friends I had gotten fond of so quickly. Albert Brooks really has got an incredible talent of making characters likeable and full of human shortcomings that are so funny and endearing. Few other directors have such an effect on me. Still I must admit I will only give it 7 stars, because the second half part of the movie just lacks originality. It could have been better... Still a joy to watch.

The acting, screen-writing and inter-personal dynamics are very good in this movie. The plot is cohesive and mostly coherent and no scenes were wasted on trivial "fluff". The only thing I wish had happened was for William Hurt's character to be more developed. This was an over-sight in the film's script, in my opinion.Tom Grunnick is too-nice-of-a-guy to be the malevolent, shallow, sensationalist manipulator of the public that both Albert Brooks' character and Holly Hunter's (eventually) make him him to be. It seems like the director wanted to have his news and read it, too:A mellow, likable, moderately-intelligent, but good-looking sports caster is thrust into the role of anchorman, probably on his looks and connections, and is then accused by some of his closest workmates of shallowness and sensationalism, but we are given only one instance of Grunnick embodying and displaying this propensity.What we needed was to meet Tom Grunnick. We are never given much indication of what is important to him and what he considers good news casting/reporting. This is a problem with many movies, where character development is minimal or absent. At the very least, Jane should have asked him (in the car) "What made you choose the subject of date-rape as your first original piece? Why is that important to you?"Why didn't she ask to collaborate on this piece, given her alleged social altruism?We see, here, that Holly Hunter's character needs development, too. We know she is ambitious and her timing and inter-personal skills are good, but what are her ideals that Albert Brooks' character alludes to toward the end of the movie? Jane Craig is much more moral and substantial than Tom Grunnick? If so, we need to see and explore this. Director and screen-writer James Brooks should have spent more time illustrating and emphasizing this dynamic.Albert Brooks' character may have been the best part of the movie. His even-tempered caring for Jane, covering a simmering passion and sometimes anger, were acted in an excellent manner. With the theme of date-rape in the movie, we half-expect Aaron Altman to take advantage of Jane at some point, but he never does. I found his humor and self-discipline very well displayed.All three; Brooks, Hunter and Hurt do great acting in this movie and the dynamics are excellent. A little more character development would have gone a long way.

Finally after many years watched this 1987 film "Broadcast News" and it was done and paced well as most James L. Brooks(as he directed) films are. It's a look and take on the world of news that of a network news wing and it's blends work with the life and times of the central characters involved. Holly Hunter is good as an eager headstrong and direct news producer who will work around the clock to get a news story on the news as she tries to get stories true to the times and make it a ratings hit! On the side William Hurt is proper and a little arrogant as the head news anchor who will have his life turned upside down. And Albert Brooks is humble and hard working as an up and coming want to be news star who's just a reporter it's like he's behind the scenes.Aside from seeing the behind the scenes and inner working of news and breaking stories in the room the film blends with the relationships and love life's of the central characters and it's nice to see the legendary Jack Nicholson with some cameo work as the top nightly news anchor and the attractive Lois Chiles as a sexy news reporter who has a one night stand with William Hurt's character. Thru it all this film is about life, work, and change as in the end all of the characters reach a wrap in their own life it's like a new start a new beginning. Overall pretty good film that keeps interest and it's chemistry between the central characters keeps the film at bay and the performances from all involved are real and heartfelt.

This movie started strongly, but every scenes made me more and more frustrated with the characters. It's confusing as to whether the focus of the movie is the love triangle or Jane's career. Aaron has a lot of really funny one-liners, but that's about the only redeeming quality he has. He claims to be "fighting" for his relationship with Jane, but she's growing apart from him and he only seems to be pushing her farther away. They appear to have been in a relationship for a while, but they seem more like just coworkers than a couple. Jane is falling in love with Tom, but Tom seems to be confused by what Jane wants. Jane is dismissive of him one moment, and in love with him the next. Jane's willingness to throw away her relationship with Aaron and commit to a new relationship only further confuses the plot. The whole time, the audience feels like Jane will have to choose between the two. It doesn't seem like a fair fight. Aaron seems aggressive, sarcastic, unappreciative, rude, and uncaring. Tom seems to sweep Jane off her feet and show her a life away from caring about every little detail. The end of the movie was the most disappointing part. At the end of the movie, she doesn't choose either man, both men move on, and she alludes to having a different boyfriend. The characters all remain unchanged. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the story as it unfolded, and I really appreciated the look into the world of broadcasting. The stressful, high-stakes nature of journalism was shown clearly. It was interesting to see examples of stories going from ideas to the final cut. Overall, as frustrating as the characters were, they were very real. This is a movie I actually might watch again.