Talk Radio

1988 "The last neighborhood in America."
7.2| 1h50m| R| en| More Info
Released: 21 December 1988 Released
Producted By: Universal Pictures
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

A rude, contemptuous talk show host becomes overwhelmed by the hatred that surrounds his program just before it goes national.

Genre

Drama

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Talk Radio (1988) is now streaming with subscription on Prime Video

Director

Oliver Stone

Production Companies

Universal Pictures

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Talk Radio Audience Reviews

Console best movie i've ever seen.
FuzzyTagz If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.
CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.
Aiden Melton The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.
patrick-coutu The movie is still so topical, even if it was out in 1988. It is filled with arguments from people who call themselves far right or far left. We get mixed up, hateful and frustrated callers. Everything is there. It is not premonitory, but we are now back in this atmosphere of mistrust towards all.It's little like Facebook but on the radio.In any case, that led me to several thoughts. It does not stop. A social criticism still on the spot, especially nowadays.In addition, the main actor, Eric Bogosian, is the same who wrote the play and the film, he is excellent and realistic in portraying a loud, talk radio personality.
grantss Interesting social commentary, adapted from a play by Eric Bogosian. Plot is good, and insightful. Solid direction from Oliver Stone, in a more low-key movie that is better than many of his more well-known offerings.However, the movie maybe feels too much like a play: long speeches, basic set. In addition, the social commentary is pretty much rammed down your throat. There is hardly a likable character in the movie. A bit more subtlety and shades of gray would have been good.This said, it makes a good point, and the performances are solid. Eric Bogosian reprises his role in the play to great effect.
mazec666 Sandwiched between his Oscar-winning films WALL STREET and BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, Oliver Stone brilliantly blends co-writer/actor Eric Bogosian's original stage play with the real life murder of Denver radio show host Alan Berg in what is often called his most underrated film to date.Dallas radio show host Barry Champlain's penchant for abusing and pushing people's buttons has led him to an offer he couldn't refuse...A chance for taking his show to national syndication. Upon hearing the news, Champlain subjects his ex-wife (Ellen Greene, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, LEON: THE PROFESSIONAL) along with his co-workers to an unforgettable night of offending his audience. But somewhere, a mysterious killer is lurking in the shadows...Bogosian gives probably an ingenious performance as the arrogant host with intense energy and bravura presence. Another actor that also stood out is Michael Wincott (THE DOORS, THE CROW) as the air-headed metal kid who somehow ended up as an unscheduled guest. At the center of this chaos is Greene who brings sincerity and concern to her committed performance.Stone delivers a live-wire satire on "Shock radio" and the politics of adjusting Barry Champlain's controversial persona for the masses. However, the issue of media predominance would later be revisited in NATURAL BORN KILLERS six years later.TALK RADIO is a film that gets you to the core. It is an underrated experience that you will never forget.
Cheese Hoven Eric Bogosian is electrifying as Barry Champlain, loud mouth and controversial host of a talk radio show. The opening 20 minutes or so is mesmerising, with its claustrophobic atmosphere and deep sense of impending menace. With the scenes involving Champlain's ex-wife, the temperature drops noticeably. The writers here take the easy option of making her too virtuous and Barry as gratuitously nasty and selfish, thus reducing any sympathy towards him. Back in the studio, the threatening atmosphere returns, but this time we have heard it before. Too many of the same callers saying much the same thing begins to pall. In particular the continual comments of an anti-Semitic nature simply wear thin. The writers once again make it easy for themselves in making all the bad callers white redneck neo-Nazis while the only obviously black caller was shown as almost Pollyannaishly happy. With a bit more variety and more honest writing (ie a wider cross-section of callers, not just endless white bigots) this could have been outstanding. As it is it is worth watching for Bogosian's wonderful performance.