Talk Radio
Talk Radio

Movie spotlight

Talk Radio

1988
Movie
109 min
English

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

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes67%
Metacritic64/100
Google Users81%
Director: Oliver StoneGenres: Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

A controversial late-night radio host, Barry Champlain, finds his cynical and provocative on-air persona clashing with his increasingly unstable personal life. As his show gains popularity, he becomes the target of threats and unsettling encounters that blur the lines between his on-air and off-air existence. The film culminates in a tense and disturbing confrontation that challenges the very nature of public discourse and personal identity.

Critical Reception

Talk Radio received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised Eric Bogosian's intense performance and Oliver Stone's direction for its raw energy and unflinching look at societal anxieties. While some found the film's bleakness and cynicism overwhelming, many acknowledged its power as a thought-provoking examination of media, alienation, and the darker side of human connection in the late 1980s.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for Eric Bogosian's compelling and intense performance as the radio host.

  • Applauded Oliver Stone's direction for capturing a raw and unsettling atmosphere.

  • Felt the film offered a potent, albeit bleak, commentary on media and alienation.

Google audience: Google users generally found the film to be a thought-provoking and intense experience, with many appreciating Eric Bogosian's captivating performance. Some noted its dark themes and unsettling nature, while others praised its relevance and critical examination of communication in modern society.

Fun Fact

The film is based on the 1984 play 'Talk Radio' by Eric Bogosian, who also stars in the film as the radio host Barry Champlain.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
GenerationofSwine

GenerationofSwin...

This is typical Oliver Stone...no, wait, I didn't mean that in a bad way. I actually meant that in a very positive way. Our protagonist is a Glenn Beck type, overly opinionated, thuggish, personality meets the shock jock ratings whore......