Network

Network

1976

Director: Sidney Lumet

Writer: Paddy Chayefsky

121 Minutes

Never has there been a more potent film for this generation, that generation, next generation, and past generations. This film speaks the truth, not just with television networks seeking ratings or unethical affairs. It’s the truth about what’s going on in the world.

And it's ugly.

This film was inspired by Christine Chubbuck and her on-air suicide. Chubbuck suffered from depression and during a newscast, she put a revolver to her head and pulled the trigger.

That is ugly.

Network is about a fictional television station dealing with poor ratings. They fire their lead anchor, Howard Beale (Peter Finch) where then Beale tells the world he is going to kill himself on his last broadcast.

Their ratings improved 5%.

The Network immediately cancels the rest of Howard’s programming, but quickly realize how financially beneficial Howard’s actions might be. They let him on for a second round and Howard goes off:

“I just ran out of bullshit.”

Howard explains the pain of slinging bullshit, speaking the truths about God, life, man – he speaks the truth about all the bullshit they have to deal with on this crazy ride. It’s all bullshit. Nothing but bullshit. All of it...bullshit.

Again, their ratings improve. Again, they let Howard sing.

In the famous scene above, the Network lets Howard report the news, dressed in his raincoat and pajama’s. He has crossed over. He is completely crazy. But, it takes this crazy person to speak the truth. Howard is the voice of the American people, explaining their thoughts about Vietnam, Watergate, murder, depression, the Cold War, etc.

And he says, “I want you to get mad.”

Howard’s message is to get angry. Don’t listen to your television or radio. Don’t play dumb. Stand up. Get mad. Speak your mind. Don’t roll over, do something about it.

“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!” He shouts.

This scene is what America needed to hear. It wasn’t a story at this point. It was a message. It was a calling card to the government, population, and every God blessed individual in this country.

We got to get mad. Stand up, open your window, and scream it. I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.

This causes a revolution. The streets of New York echo Howard’s message. And in the wake of the 1960’s, this message needed to be said. Don’t become a slave. Don’t numb yourself with entertainment. Yell, scream, and get pissed. Get mad. You got to get mad.

Like I said, never has their been a more potent film than Network. Even today, the message of standing up, getting mad, and saying you’re not going to take it anymore is a good one. The notion of believing your life has value is a good one. And nevermore truthfully was this message than when it was said by Howard Beale.

The film took home four Academy Awards, the first posthumous award to Peter Finch for Best Actor. It’s a film on everyone's best film list and the line, “I want you to get mad,” remains one of the greatest lines in entertainment history.

At the heart of this film is truth. Truth that the world is burning and most people either care about the ratings or don’t care at all.

Which one are you…

Taken

Taken

2008

Director: Pierre Morel

Writer: Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen

93 Minutes

Taken was a under-rated blockbuster hit taking in over 145 million dollars, escalating Liam Neeson action career to new highs and letting the American people in on the sex trafficking trade in Europe.

And then there is this line:

“I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you.”

Taken is an action thriller about a former government agent who needs to save his kidnapped daughter that will be forced into sex trade in less than 96 hours.

“There are going to take you,” Bryan (Liam Neeson) tells his daughter when intruders enter her Paris apartment.

Once taken, Bryan has to find out who did this, track them down, and get his daughter back. In the process, he literally kicks the shit out of every scum bag in the sex trading industry, which all leads to one man: St-Clair (Gerard Watkins)

In the scene above, Bryan has found St-Clair and asks for his daughter back. St-Clair understands Bryan’s pain – having children himself – but cites how business cannot be stopped. St-Clair orders Bryan killed and returns to his party.

But, Bryan escapes. He steals a gun and heads for St-Clair.

In the elevator, St-Clair stands in awe. After telling his henchmen to kill Bryan and explain Bryan's daughter's life, virginity, and existence is unimportant, St-Clair knows it’s over.

Bryan shoots him.

“Please understand…it was all business. It wasn’t personal,” St-Clair says.

Bryan shoots him again. “It was all personal to me.”

This scene is the ultimate revenge. With this kill, he ends the sex trade and stops future daughters being abducted. With this kill, he understands this man, St-Clair, has no moral conscious and by killing him, he ends this terrible race. With this kill, he knows he’ll get his daughter back.

And once Bryan eventually completes his journey, he emotionally connects with his daughter, which was his overall goal throughout the picture.

Final death count: 35

In the end, Taken is one of those films that you watch five minutes and you have to finish the rest. It’s amazingly exciting, thrilling, and fun. There are so few high-concept films out there that have this energy.

And that is sad.