38 Years Later, This 98%-Rated Rom-Com Is a Forgotten Gem That Needs to Be Rediscovered

James L. Brooks' 1987 romantic comedy Broadcast News instantly became a critics' darling, but it eventually fell into undeserved obscurity.

Today, this movie is more than just a relic of an era – it's a brilliant and relevant commentary on love, work, and ethics that deserves to be rediscovered.

What Is 'Broadcast News' About?

Jane Craig is a principled and intelligent news producer who believes journalism should be rigorous and objective.

Her established world is shattered by the arrival of a new anchor, Tom, who is not the most insightful man but is incredibly charming. Meanwhile, Jane struggles to understand her feelings for her best friend, the caustic and talented reporter Aaron.

'Broadcast News' Is Not Only a Brilliant Rom-Com, but Also a Superb Industrial Drama

Broadcast News is not just the story of a love triangle – it is also a ruthlessly accurate portrait of an industry on the brink of fundamental change.

Director James L. Brooks, a former television executive himself, diagnoses the exhaustion caused by workaholism with clinical precision.

He contrasts the meticulous professionalism of Jane and Aaron with the superficial yet marketable charm of Tom, foreshadowing the triumph of infotainment over serious journalism.

'Broadcast News' Was a Breakthrough Role for Holly Hunter

Against a backdrop of established stars like Oscar winners William Hurt and Albert Brooks, Holly Hunter truly steals the show.

She plays a hyper-competent woman who can brilliantly narrate the crisis in Nicaragua, yet is completely at a loss when it comes to the subtleties of personal relationships.

Hunter conveys her character's full range of emotions with incredible precision, from principled sternness to vulnerability, fear of loneliness, and doubt.

Despite Being Released in the 1980s, 'Broadcast News' Wasn't Your Typical Rom-Com

Acutely aware of the boundaries of the rom-com genre, Brooks' film deliberately expands them. Rather than offering a fairy tale, it provides a piercingly realistic and ironic narrative.

Tom isn't the perfect prince but a surprisingly silly character. The royal ball is replaced by a social dinner, after which the princess is left alone. Broadcast News avoids clichés – it even had two endings, and the filmmakers chose the one that felt more realistic.

Even almost forty years later, Broadcast News is still a smart, poignant, and profound story that explores the professional and ethical boundaries that can isolate us from others.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Broadcast News'?

• Broadcast News has 98% from critics and 79% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.3/10.

• On Letterboxd, Broadcast News is scored 4.0/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Broadcast News'?

You can buy or rent Broadcast News on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.