Network: Still Mad As Hell After All These Years

Okay, so I finally rewatched "Network" the other night. Man, talk about a movie that still hits hard. I first saw this back in, what, '87? Fresh out of high school, and even then it felt...prescient. Now, after all this time, it's downright prophetic! I mean, Howard Beale basically invented reality TV well before it became the trainwreck we all secretly watch. Remember the scene where he's yelling out the window, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!"? That's still SO relatable. I feel that way every time I check my newsfeed these days. Faye Dunaway as Diana Christensen...wow. Cold as ice, completely driven by ratings. She kind of reminds me of...well, nevermind. Let's just say some people I've worked with in my life, haha. The whole thing with the terrorist group and the 'Mao Tse-tung Hour' was a little out there, even for 70s cinema, but it kinda worked. It's like Paddy Chayefsky, the writer, was saying no extreme is off limits for ratings. Honestly, I think this film should be required viewing for anyone working in media today. Or anyone consuming it for that matter. Makes you think about what we're willing to watch, and what networks are willing to show us. It's dark, man. Really dark. I will say though, the ending is a bit...much. But honestly, it almost has to be, doesn't it? Anything less would kinda downplay the real bleakness of the whole thing. Definite recommend, just be prepared to feel slightly depressed afterwards. Just sayin'.