Talk Radio is one of those mess-terpieces where it’s easy to see what it gets wrong. A look at the “shock jock” culture of the late 1980s, when the script steps outside the booth you wonder if they even understand the personality of a late night radio host and their relationship with their audience, their close friends and the people they work with. Everything is elevated in a way that takes the drama just a bit off target, like the subplot about the show possibly going national being discussed over two nights and without the participation of its star. However, you can easily ignore all of that because on the air, the movie is fire.
Eric Bogosian wrote the play the film is based on, stars as Barry Champlain and is perfect. The voice, the intense looks and the easy way he careens between verbal lacerations and comedy makes this an All Timer performance. He’s matched by Oliver Stone’s visual handling of the radio station set, built by Bruno Rubeo (The Devil’s Advocate.) Photographed by Robert Richardson, we’re constantly watching Barry surrounded by his support team separated by glass in all directions, including one that looks out into the city skyline. The set within a set moves out to make Barry look small and isolated, or in to make it look like everyone is right on top of him. It even rotates around for a climactic monologue of intensity. Bogosian’s words in perfect concert with the production’s visuals.
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