GOOD
NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK
by Gwen Moran
PG for mild thematic elements
and brief language. 90 min. Directed by George Clooney. Written by
George Clooney and Grant Heslov. Released in theaters Oct. 14, 2005.
The year is
1953, and television is still in its infancy. Esteemed broadcast
journalist Edward R. Murrow (David Strathairn) anchors the popular news
documentary show, See it Now (think 60 Minutes'
predecessor), on CBS, as well as a talk show, Person to Person
(think Entertainment Tonight's predecessor). But he's happiest
and at his best as a news reporter.
This movie tells the story of how Murrow and his staff, including
producer Fred Friendly (George Clooney) and Joe Wershba (Robert Downey,
Jr.), take on Sen. Joseph McCarthy and the House Un-American Activities
Committee. The news team defies corporate pressure and brings to light
the horrific realities of McCarthy's search for communists. What ensues
is a public feud and a backlash against McCarthy, both of which cement
Murrow's place in journalism history, in addition to being the catalyst
which ends the Wisconsin junior senator's despicable witch hunt.
David Strathairn's performance is Oscar-worthy. He is entirely
believable as Murrow and his attention to acting detail right down to
a tap of the foot or a furrow of the brow make us appreciate the
potential of great acting. Clooney admirably
downplays his megawatt movie star appeal and plays the perfect every man
to Strathairn's brilliance, emphasizing the sharp yet subtle wit of the
script. The consistently excellent Patricia Clarkson and Robert Downey,
Jr. play an interesting duo with an important secret. If the movie has a
flaw, it is that there are so many excellent actors doing their jobs so
well that we want to know more about the characters, to spend more time
with them. When the picture ends, we are left feeling as if a visit with
treasured friends has been cut short.
Shot in black-and-white, and using actual footage of McCarthy,
the film is still eerily relevant in today's political climate. Clooney
has a clear message, and it is only a shame that we have no Murrow no
journalistic superhero to take on the grave matters we face in the
world today.
SCORE: 4 out of 4 Reels.
Visit Gwen Moran online at
www.gwenmoran.com.
Jane's Reel Rating
System:
One Reel Pathetic.
Even The Force cant save it.
Two Reels
Tolerable. Coulda been a contender.
Three Reels
Thought-provoking. Something to talk about.
Four Reels Wow! The
stuff dreams are made of.
E-chat with me
at
jane@reellifewithjane.com - I
LOVE to talk about movies!
Read my other reviews
here.
