Timely and riveting

Rating: 10/10 (21 October 2005)

"Good Night and Good Luck" is a timely lesson about honest and brave journalism in the '50s, personified by Edward R. Murrow and Fred Friendly in a dark time in our history. The film is effectively shot in black and white for verisimilitude. The staging and pacing were also very effective in telling the story. I was especially impressed with David Strathairn's acting as Murrow, supported by George Clooney ( who co-wrote and directed) as Friendly. Other actors and actresses did well in their roles, also, such as Frank Langella and Jeff Daniels. A few parts seemed a little obscure to me, but did not detract from the essential story. The use of actual newsreels of the time was interesting and useful in setting the scene. While this movie may not be everyone's cup of tea as entertainment, I think it is well worth seeing on the big screen.