Network

For our unit on screenplay, Network is definitely the perfect film.  The entire movie is just the screenplay.  This 1976 film emphasizes how crazy and extreme the news is behind the camera.  The memorable character Howard Beale is played by Peter Finch.  When ratings get too low he is fired.  His response to this- announce on air he's going to kill himself.  This of coarse skyrockets the ratings so they keep him on.  As he completely descends into lunacy the viewers cant get enough of him.  He becomes their channel into their own anger and frustration.  The famous line that is said with such power is "im mad as hell, and im not gonna take it anymore".  The news has not changed since this movie, people are still so intrigued by the craziness and wild antics of people that they cant look away.