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 out 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.
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 out 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.