Talk Radio

Based on the Broadway play by Eric Bogosian and the true account Talked to Death: The Life and Murder of Alan Berg by Stephen Singular, director Oliver Stone's 1989 fictionalization of Berg's life features Bogosian as a Dallas radio talk show host whose escalating near-maniacal insult-trading with the lonely, the bigots, and the borderline psychotic, eventually leads to tragedy. Even though the majority of the film (in my opinion, one of Stone's better--though commercially disappointing--efforts), takes place in the broadcasting booth, the camera is constantly on the move, as is the talk. And the talk is riveting, unflinching and sharp as knives. Unfortunately, the DVD, while reasonably well mastered offers precious little in the way of extras (especially the lack of a commentary track by Stone). Still, this is highly recommended. (R. Pitman)