"WUSA" is unusual in that the author of the original novel ALSO wrote the screenplay. This is very unusual as the two types of writing are so different. I mention this because I actually watched the film and thought to myself "I bet the screenwriter ALSO wrote the novel it's based on"! Why? Because novels are usually pared down for films...otherwise, many films might be 4-10 hours or more! Here, it felt like Robert Stone was trying to include all the characters and subplots from his novel...and the film, as a result, seemed to meander and its main message is a bit blurred. Now mind you...to many this is a classic film. This is just my opinion that it needed to be more direct and to the point.
When the story begins, Rheinhart (Paul Newman) is nearly broke and in need of work. He gets a lead that a radio station in New Orleans, WUSA, needs a disc jockey....but he was also warned that the station's political bent is to the right...the very, very far right. Well, Rheinhart isn't particularly conservative but a job is a job to him. So, he spouts what the station wanted and gets himself a job. Many of his harangues are about the evils of welfare...which is odd, as he has become friendly with a neighbor who is a social worker working with these same poor folks! In addition, Rheinhart begins shacking up with a 'professional girl' (played by Newman's wife, Joanne Woodward). Unfortunately, it takes a very long time for the film to arrive at its sad conclusion.
While the cast of the film is VERY impressive and the acting is very good, again, I think some of these parts should have been eliminated to make the movie more direct and to the point. This, to me, prevents this film from being better. It's not bad...but could have been better.
For a more interesting film covering similar material, try seeing Oliver Stone's "Talk Radio"...based on the murder of an actual far right talk radio host.
When the story begins, Rheinhart (Paul Newman) is nearly broke and in need of work. He gets a lead that a radio station in New Orleans, WUSA, needs a disc jockey....but he was also warned that the station's political bent is to the right...the very, very far right. Well, Rheinhart isn't particularly conservative but a job is a job to him. So, he spouts what the station wanted and gets himself a job. Many of his harangues are about the evils of welfare...which is odd, as he has become friendly with a neighbor who is a social worker working with these same poor folks! In addition, Rheinhart begins shacking up with a 'professional girl' (played by Newman's wife, Joanne Woodward). Unfortunately, it takes a very long time for the film to arrive at its sad conclusion.
While the cast of the film is VERY impressive and the acting is very good, again, I think some of these parts should have been eliminated to make the movie more direct and to the point. This, to me, prevents this film from being better. It's not bad...but could have been better.
For a more interesting film covering similar material, try seeing Oliver Stone's "Talk Radio"...based on the murder of an actual far right talk radio host.