Network

Network

Belasco Theatre

April 6, 2019

Photo courtesy of Network

When Network was first released in 1976, it struck a chord to a generation who grew complacent. We easily bought into any belief system that kept us calm and happy.  The movie aroused our anger.  We rose up crying, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!”  We all felt the freedom that comes with expressing pent-up emotion.  Today, forty years later, as the expression of anger seems common place and out of control, we can listen to and appreciate the powerful message Network imparts that is beyond the mere facing of repressed emotion.  Adapted for the stage by Lee Hall, the Broadway production of Network delivers the expected impact and offers these deeper introspective moments.  Director Ivo Van Hove creates a high tech production that combines video and sound to keep the action fast paced and in the moment.  Brian Cranston is riveting.

Brian Cranston as Howard Beale
Photos courtesy of Network

After twenty-five years as a broadcast news journalist and anchor, Howard Beale (played by Brian Cranston) gets fired.  To add insult to injury, his best friend and colleague, Max Schumacher (played by Tony Goldwyn) is the one responsible for delivering the fatal news.  Howard, in a moment of desperation, announces he will commit suicide while on the air.  This threatens an even sooner demise to his career, until Diane Christensen (played by Tatiana Maslany) decides to use it to improve ratings.  She proposes to the network to make Howard Beale a prophet to the common people.  They buy it.  It works.  Ratings soar.  Millions are made.  Then everyone realizes who really holds the power.

Tony Goldwyn & Brian Carnston
Photos courtesy of Network

In our present day of reality TV and presidents winning election on their celebrity, the use of personal hardships and biased information to boost rating seem unfortunately normal.  It is, however, heartbreaking to watch Brian Cranston’s portrayal of the downfall of Howard Beale.  His character has lost all sense of reality, and is pushed further down the dark path for other people’s gain.  Mr. Cranston creates genuine and powerful moments of panic and despair.  He is able to pull himself up, but we know it is based on falsehood, and therefore only temporary.  The ending is shocking.  Mr. Van Hove knows how to build a moment and explode it unexpectedly.

The Broadway production of Network has been extended through June 8.  Go on line and get your ticket.  If you liked the move, you must experience this production.  Do not leave during the curtain call.  Mr. Van Hove leaves the audience with a few very timely images that drive the theme home after the cast leaves the stage.

Domenick Danza