By: debbie lynn elias
The 1970’s brought an entirely new aspect to the nightly news Instead of responsible, earnest reporting from the likes of Cronkite and Murrow, viewers were greeted with “happy talk.” Teams of good looking, beautifully coiffed people reading the news from TelePrompTers. Write and report the news? Rarely. Reading was enough of a task, what with looking good and smiling. And let’s not forget fashionable, color-coordinated outfits that look good on tv. Ah yes, it was the dawn of a new era in television history and at the forefront of it all was Ron Burgundy – top local anchor in San Diego and a legend in his own mind. You see, Ron had the great gift of being able to look at those words scrolling on the TelePrompTer and repeat them verbatim – and all without using his brain; almost like having a direct line between his eyeballs and mouth.
Things are all hunky dory for Ron and his co-anchors at KVWN, Brian Fantana, Champ Kind and Brick Tamland. It’s a man’s world and they are all kings among men. News – a hard core, hard hitting, male dominated and chauvinistic profession is ideally suited to all of them. But wait, things begin to go a bit awry when Veronica Corningstone arrives on scene. A skilled newsperson who can actually read and write her own copy and report a story, joins the team as the first ever on-the-scene reporter. News Director Ed Harke wants to add some “diversity” to the station and liven things up a bit and thinks a woman would make the station even more cutting edge than it already is (as if endless shots of the boys smiling at each other isn’t enough of a thrill for the audience) . Whoa! Looks like the boys have some competition for the make-up mirror now! Needless to say, things start to go a little out of control as the boys try to retain their kingdom and oust Corningstone, with one exception. Seems Ron Burgundy is more than a bit smitten with the beautiful reporter and she with him. And things get a little topsy turvy when Ron realizes that she girl has talent, that news is a respectable and honorable profession and that maybe his style is really that of a buffoon and he’s not as great as he believed himself to be.
But despite Ron’s affectation for Veronica, it is his duty to assist in preserving the sanctity of the male news team and he joins in with his buddies in a series of countless (hysterical) pranks to sabotage Veronica. And all the while, the film goes to the Nth degree giving an uproarious comedic over-the-top look at the behind the scenes and on-camera antics of the boys.
Will Ferrell IS Ron Burgundy. Funny, slimy, egomaniacal, eyebrow lifting, odor obsessed, almost brain dead, stumble bumble, yet irresistibly endearing all at the same time. There is no doubt about Ferrell’s comedic talents. With brilliant timing, he envelops the very essence of his character. Take a look at “Elf” or his work in “Old School.” No fluke is he. And his work here is so unbelievable that it could make Ron Burgundy his signature role. A perfect counterpart for Ferrell is Christina Applegate as Veronica Corningstone. A well established comedienne in her own right, Applegate shows a depth of character that makes her more than just a pretty, funny face and she more than holds her own when pitted against Ferrell. She brings a passionate sweetness to Corningstone while still retaining a gutsy knowledgeable hardness of a news reporter. Disappointingly, the usually oh-so-funny Fred Willard is wasted with his portrayal and Ed Harke and given little of nothing to do. Similarly, Paul Rudd, David Koechner and Steve Carell as Ron’s co-horts and co-anchors, while adept at the vacuous, yet crude and funny interpretation of empty-headed male anchormen, fall short of Ferrell’s performance and never quite achieve the likeability quotient of Ferrell. Being a long time fan of Paul Rudd, given his capabilities I was expecting more from him here.
“Saturday Night Live” veteran director Adam McKay makes his big screen directorial debut here and strikes gold. Although there are times of unevenness and some hits and misses with some of the comedic set-ups, the film has a continuity that carries throughout, resulting in a solid body of work. Written by McKay and Ferrell, the satirical styling based on effective use of slapstick comedy. And although I seriously doubt there were (or are) any news anchors as buffoonish as Ron Burgundy (although one never knows), the characterizations and on camera news team antics are guaranteed to remind anyone familiar with 1970’s news of some news personality they loved – or hated- to watch. And yes, even I see similarities to my favorite news team at WPVI (although I know for a fact they could and can, all read and write their own copy and do more than read words scrolling on a TelePrompTer).
And don’t miss the innumerable cameo appearances by not just actors, but news personalities of today! Absolutely riotous!! Ron Burgundy, the man with a nose for news and one fine looking head of helmet hair. “Anchorman” – it brings you comedy so you don’t have to go find it.
Ron Burgundy: Will FerrellVeronica Corningstone: Christina ApplegateChamp Kind: David KoechnerBrick Tamland: Steven CarellBrian Fantana: Paul RuddEd Harken: Fred Willard DreamWorks presents a film directed by Adam McKay. Written by Will Ferrell and McKay. Rated PG-13. (91 min)
