Season 1: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

In the 1970s, an anchorman's stint as San Diego's top-rated newsreader is challenged when an ambitious newswoman becomes his co-anchor.

Jess' Review

After some light criticism that Sam’s film choices were remarkably gloomy, he seemingly decided to make a point of it this week by taking a total 180. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) is a welcome injection of goofy, cult comedy in this so-far, so-bleak 00s season.

I mean, what to say about Anchorman? Burgundy and the gang’s iconic quotes might have become a part of my vocabulary at this stage - bear in mind, that this is only my third viewing of the movie too! It’s a classic and deservedly a front-runner in the comedy genre.

Set in the 70s, the plot follows a local, LA news team helmed by Ron Burgundy (an on-point Will Ferrell), who grapples with identity and ego at the addition of a female anchor-lady (Christina Applegate) to their crew. That synopsis in itself is more serious than the movie would care for. The focus is always the laughs, and it really does deliver with an extreme eccentricity and ludicrousness that you can’t help but chortle at. It’s insane. Some sequences (I’m looking at you, newsreaders' stand-off…) are truly baffling in their absurdity, but that’s exactly what makes this film work.

Whilst poking fun at the archaic sexist attitudes of media, Anchorman is a celebration of eccentricity. Of course, Ferrell takes centre stage with a comedy performance that might define his career. But only on this viewing, did I realise how funny the supporting cast are. Truth be told, Steve Carrell’s random outbursts as Brick are somewhat lost on me as I’ve aged (what a grouch, eh?). But I see now that Champ (David Koechner) is more than obnoxious one-liners and catches me out on more than one occasion. And Paul Rudd’s Brian Fantana absolutely killed me with all these tiny little moments stolen in the background of a scene. For me, he stood out beyond the insanity of his peers.

Everyone looks like they’re having an amazing time on this film, and that in itself feels infectious. It’s an easy watch, over-the-top and absurd, but I’d defy you not to laugh. The phone booth scene is pure gold. The almost-endless cameos are gimmicky, yes, but fun additions that get the audience more excitedly pointing at the screen long before Marvel made it the norm. Anchorman is a comedy gem and I don’t think we can be friends if you can’t recognise that.

8/10

---

Sam's Review

As I settle in, I wonder if I have made a mistake. Jess’, dare I say, scathing criticism of my sombre choices – I like to think that they were thought-provoking, perhaps? – forced me to pivot, deciding to find a comedy. And Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy is a classic, right? My decision feels justified as the film begins, it’s impossible not to grin as a montage plays of Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) reporting the news. It perfectly captures his delusional arrogance, ignorance, and somehow, charm.

Then a slight worry occurs. Some of the humour seems infantile. A cheap attempt to reach for easy laughs. Yet when Burgundy has his initial interaction with Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate) I revel in the hysterically awkward encounter. His unabashed arrogance contains a childlike innocence which makes it difficult not to like him.

The cast is a who’s who of comedy. Steve Carell, Paul Rudd (Who have both gone on to become stars.), and David Koechner (Who not only has his own respectable career, but also sent me a birthday message via Cameo.) round out Ferrell’s news team set in their ways. While clearly deplorable characters, the acting is stellar. The throwaway lines get sharper and sharper. And they play off each other’s energies brilliantly, like an artful game of tennis. That’s before mentioning the lengthy list of cameos, of which Vince Vaughn’s embittered Wes Mantooth reminds me of a time where the Frat Pack reigned supreme, and defined comedy for a generation.

The premise is silly, yet fun. Almost a parody, it never takes itself seriously. Instead, it basks in the ridiculousness of it all. Though there are moments where certain gags fail, and I realise that they resort to loud yelling in place of humour. But Ferrell’s sharp comic timing and confused inflections carry the film, supported heavily by the cast.

Comedies are odd films to review. If I must focus on the story, the film comes undone. It’s flimsy at best, filled with plot holes that could have easily been prevented. But why spoil the fun? Of course news crews aren’t meeting in alleyways to brawl, yet it elicits a chuckle.

Today’s top story; While Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it’s an enjoyable watch that had me laughing on more than one occasion. You stay classy, Ron Burgundy.

8/10