Directed by:
Oliver StoneCinematography:
Robert RichardsonComposer:
Stewart CopelandCast:
Eric Bogosian, Ellen Greene, Leslie Hope, John C. McGinley, Alec Baldwin, John Pankow, Michael Wincott, Zach Grenier, Anna Levine, Park Overall, Earl Hindman (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
Based loosely on the life of the murdered talk-radio personality Alan Berg, TALK RADIO stars monologist Eric Bogosian as the abrasive, self-loathing talk-radio host Barry Champlain. He spends his nights at Dallas station KGAB engaged in vitriolic conversations with a motley assortment of racists, anti-semites, rednecks, and all-purpose lunatics. Just having learned that his show has a chance to be picked up for national syndication, Barry seems to have ratcheted up the abuse level to new heights, worrying his co-workers. Yet while Barry's career is taking off, studio boss Dan (Alec Baldwin) angers him by trying to alter the provocative content of his show. At the same time, Barry's having problems with his girlfriend and ex-wife, Ellen (Ellen Greene). And a neo-Nazi group is making increasingly menacing calls, forcing him to the edge of a possible nervous breakdown. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (2)
If I were to pick a single movie that describes Oliver Stone’s personality perfectly, it’d be Talk Radio. It’s one of the last of his movies I’ve seen. But at the same time, it’s a movie that captures his personality perfectly – critical, harsh, aggressive, dangerous and God knows what other synonyms of those first words. Eric Bogosian portrays a person who takes a lot of liberties with other people. But as soon as the beat-down rocker appears on the scene, the proper Stone comes out – Stone who isn’t afraid to tell his brutal opinion. But that’s not all. The movie has a lot of strong scenes, especially when it comes to talking to other people. But there’s also some unnecessary filler moments that I’d personally leave out.
()
"If you don't like me, turn me off." A very interesting and thoroughly engaging probe into the depths of (far from only) a presenter's soul. The film doesn't surpass its top-notch opening half hour, but Oliver Stone is great and Eric Bogosian is excellent in his role in such a way that you don't really notice.
()