A Timely Call for Responsible Journalism

Rating: 9/10 (17 October 2005)

In this day and age of terror alerts, alleged torturing of prisoners, corporate run news programs, and the potential erosion of civil liberties, "Good Night, and Good Luck" couldn't be more timely. George Clooney has crafted a near perfect docu-drama about CBS News (and in particular Edward R. Murrow-played spot on by David Strathairn) in the early 1950's when they dared to take on Senator Joe McCarthy's misbegotten hunting down of American Communist sympathizers.
Clooney makes three great directorial decisions here that really help the film stand out. First, it is shot in black and white and looks like a crisper cleaner version of the TV news programs of that era. Second, there is no music score save for some perfectly timed jazz numbers (almost done as commercial breaks dispersed after key moments in the film, and always with relevant lyrics). Third, and most effectively, he uses only real archival footage of McCarthy. It keeps the "villian" at a comfortable distance while at the same time being alarmingly true to the actual nature of McCarthy's devious ways.
The set designs, cinematography, and supporting cast (Frank Langella, Patricia Clarkson, Robert Downy Jr., and Ray Wise) are all fantastic. At the end we are left with a plethora of great quotes that are very meaningful today from Murrow and an earnest call for journalists to rise up and bring the real stories to the public. The film seems to be saying that there is no way to have truly unbiased reporting. What is important is that everything is reported on (and that intimidation or fear of being unpopular or losing your job should not effect the news that is reported), and that if opinions are to be had either way concerning important topics, they need to be heard. Everyone in America deserves to have their forum, even Joe McCarthy, and that is what makes this country great.