Hold Down A
patreon
Network (1976) watch along
🕑 Added 2025-05-16 12:15:00 +0000 UTCI loved this movie and yet it’s hard for me to explain why as I try and wrap my brain around it only once. Network #64 on the AFI list deservedly so. It’s sharp, relentless, and somehow still feels uncomfortably current almost 50 years later.
The amount of monologues and powerhouse speeches in this thing is unreal. I don’t even know how they pulled it off (okay, I do—a ton of work and actors who had the chops to pull it off with fire and nuance). It’s one of those movies that reminds ME that acting is truly an art when it’s done like this. People like Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway make it look easy—but it’s anything but. trust me.
The script by is next-level. I must commit Paddy’s name to memory. It’s bold, brutally smart, dark, funny and cynical. I honestly think I need to read it just to unpack the layers. Watching it you feel like every line is trying to tell you something—about media, capitalism, madness, the public, yourself. There’s not ONE wasted word.
The way Lumet directed this… man. There’s so much symbolism baked into the visuals. I loved the framing, the lighting, even how the sets evolve as the characters unravel like The set of “The Howard Beale Show”. It feels theatrical and larger-than-life, where I think the comedy did fit—but also so raw and real at times that it makes you squirm. You kind of walk away from this film feeling gross, but that’s the point. It holds a mirror up to the viewer, and the reflection ain’t flattering. I think that’s why I struggled watching, trying to listen to each brilliant word and in shock after.
What’s kinda wild is how this film seemed ahead of it’s time and. almost predicted the media landscape we’re living in now—where ratings and outrage matter more than truth, and where real human suffering becomes spectacle. Watching it today feels like watching a warning we ignored.
Honestly, I got a little stuck trying to analyze it at the end because it’s one of those movies that leaves you thinking. I was overwhelmed and saddened. Also thinking “what I did just experience” cause to me it was also brilliant. totally worth the head spin and think on a deep philosophical debate with one’s self about why do we need likes and views and to sell lies, even lives. I’ve only scratched the surface of this. Can’t wait to hear your always amazing takes!
Thanks for being here!
You all mean a lot to me! I love this crew❤️
Xx
Ames
Comments
Michael T
Sidney Lumet was a brilliant and unconventional director, probably best known for “12 Angry Men.” But in my opinion his three finest movies are “Network,” “Dog Day Afternoon,” and “Running on Empty.” I really hope you will react to those other two someday soon, Ames.
Amalia Wolf
so glad you got to watch for first time with me!
John Courtright
This was a first-time watch for me and I was stunned by the screenwriting and the performances. I thought Faye Dunaway, Peter Finch, and William Holden in particular were all amazing! I had previously seen a clip of people sticking their heads out of apartment building windows and shouting, "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!!" (genuinely sounds therapeutic to me 😂), but I didn't know what film it was from. Now I know. I enjoyed your reaction and thoughtful comments, Ames. There is so much else to discuss, but others have already said most of it, so I'll just say, as a manifesto on the state of the human condition, Network is truly frightening!
