Network Movie Essay

490 Words2 Pages

Network, a movie by Sidney Lumet showcases the capitalization on the ideal of anger. The film addresses the issues of various media forms, particularly television in American news programming. Set during the 1970s, the era of broadcasting introduced 3 powerful networks that were all vying for shares on television. The three networks, one being UBS, highlights the dramatic actions of trying to win an audience and ratings. Howard Beale, a news anchorman for UBS faces termination due to low ratings. Due to the stress of facing termination, Beale has a mental breakdown and goes off script during broadcast. Beale proclaims that he is going to commit suicide on air. Unexpectedly, Beale’s dramatic confession causes a rise in the ratings, ultimately allowing Beale to keep his job. Cynically, UBS exploits Beale’s honest revelation for their own financial gain. The film introduces key players in the …show more content…

Beale’s “mad as hell” speech becomes a hit with audience and his network, although UBS fails to acknowledge that Beale is emotionally unstable. The network ignores that his rants can potentially be disguised as a cry for help. The exploitation of Howard to continue with his anger persona ultimately lead to his death. UBS became too greedy with high ratings and shares that Beale’s angry disposition was not exciting anymore. In the end, UBS only saw fit to have Howard killed on air in a means to boost ratings. Howard Beale’s “mad as hell” speech gave him the ability to address his viewers and implant his opinions and views into them. The way Beale influenced his audience can be seen today in reality television. Howard Beale’s reporting with his public display of anger was his way to address audiences on the air. He articulates the public rage surrounding such controversial issues of the time such as the Vietnam War, and the economic depression in the 1970s. Beale became the voice of society which had been concealed by

More about Network Movie Essay