Director Michael Mann is no stranger to the character study. With The Insider , Mann continues his exploration of the dual character study to stunning effect. Though the movie is a little too long, it makes a powerful statement about television journalism, truth and the American public's blindsided faith in the benevolence of both. Based on a script by Paddy Chayefsky, Network offers up a satirical take on the depravity of the corporate structures churning out our primetime news. When ratings soar, Finch's unstable newsman is championed by the network and allowed to spew his crazed delusions to the delight of primetime viewers.
Network is an even darker examination of the evils that TV can do.
Interestingly enough, now, more than twenty years after its release, the film has turned out to be more prophetic than satirical.