The defence The Prestige Tourist
“Ambition earns the room.”
The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.
Back to trending 
Talk Radio
Drama · 1988
A rude, contemptuous talk show host becomes overwhelmed by the hatred that surrounds his program just before it goes national.
Movie details
Talk Radio
“The last neighborhood in America.”
1988 Drama 1h 49m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
7.1 / 10
Community rating
A rude, contemptuous talk show host becomes overwhelmed by the hatred that surrounds his program just before it goes national.
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over Talk Radio?
For the defence
The Prestige Tourist
“You like your greatness pre-approved.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Popcorn Loyalist
“Big screen, big feelings, no apologies.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
Taste neighbourhood
Nearby on the taste map.
TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.
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Where it lives
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Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
Oliver Stone
Written by
Eric Bogosian · Oliver Stone
Eric Bogosian
Barry Champlain
Ellen Greene
Ellen
Leslie Hope
Laura
John C. McGinley
Stu
Alec Baldwin
Dan
John Pankow
Dietz
Michael Wincott
Kent / Michael / Joe
Court is in session
Put Talk Radio on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist
“Importance has entered the chat.”
The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.