"Network" is a satirical film following the employees at a fictional television network, UBS, who are desperate to attract viewers after receiving dismal ratings in the past. Howard Beale (Peter Finch), UBS news anchor, discovers that he will be fired in two weeks, so he goes on a tirade during his broadcast, claiming that he will commit suicide the following Tuesday, much to the horror of the network executives. However, his tirades make big headlines and UBS receives exceptional ratings, so Diana (Faye Dunaway) convinces the other execs to keep Howard on the air. Howard spends his airtime lamenting American politics and business, and the ratings continue to climb. Soon however, the company must find new programming to keep the viewers tuned in. Diana cuts a deal with a group of radical terrorists, who agree to shoot videos of their acts of terrorism, and UBS will produce a show about them. The entire film isn't necessarily one that the viewer will laugh out loud at, yet one can't help but chuckle about the over-exaggerated actions carried out by the network executives to boost ratings, which is truly the intention of this corporate satire. The film is one of only two films in history to win three Oscars for acting (the other being 'A Streetcar Named Desire' [1951]). Peter Finch won Best Actor (one of only two actors to win posthumously, the other being Heath Ledger). Faye Dunaway won Best Actress, and Beatrice Straight won Best Supporting Actress (in the shortest Oscar-winning performance in history, a mere 5 minutes and 40 seconds). All were well-deserved. The film also won for Best Original Screenplay, and was nominated for Best Director, Best Picture, and two additional acting Oscars (William Holden- Best Actor, and Ned Beatty- Best Supporting Actor). The film won't be in everyone's taste, as it may drag for some, but overall it's a culturally relevant exaggeration of modern broadcasting networks. 6 out of 10 stars.
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