Sometimes, the best romantic comedies have a slight edge. “Broadcast News,” is a sexy yet hilarious tale that brilliantly balances his laughs with commentary on TV journalism. We follow Jane Craig of Holly Hunter, a news producer who always knows the right thing to say in the ear of anchor Tom Grunick (William Hurt). As the film progresses, we witness the chemistry that continues to build between the two and how their professional lives intertwine with their personalities. Of course, much like rom-coms, Jane’s best friend, Aaron Altman (Albert Brooks), also has a crush on her, driving the already insane world of television even crazier.
Although it features a lot of typical rom-coms, what ultimately makes “Broadcast News” something special is its performance. Holly Hunter, for example, brings an additional boost of power to the intimidating but likable Jane—an aspect that may be in the script but is lifted by her dynamic portrayal. Similarly, both Albert Brooks and William Hurt excel as romantic and professional rivals who add a unique spin to their prototypical characters. All in all, with this ensemble and an electric screenplay by writer-director James L. Brooks, “Broadcast News” remains the hidden gem of the decade that rom-com fans and movie buffs in general should accept.