Surpising from a Veteran TV Star

Rating: 10/10 (12 December 2005)

Ten years ago, when "Good Night, and Good Luck's" director George Clooney was a driving force on "ER," who would've thought, "So he can write and direct, too." Certainly not me or the rest of America's top critics.
"Good Night, and Good Luck" opens with the story of a 1950's soldier who was unfairly judged by other superior officers on his and his father's views on the global threat of Communism. We see TV news journalist Edward R. Murrow (portrayed by character actor David Strathairn) as he attacks the military on their actions with the soldier on his journalism news show "See It Now." After the show airs, military officers come to see him about the episode saying it was all based on myth when Murrow and "See It Now" producer Fred Friendly (played by the film's director) retort the military's actions against the soldier were based on fabricated fact, some of which was made up, evidence the soldier's superiors weren't shown, and heresy. However this is light compared to the backlash of Murrow's attack against House Un-American Committee (HUAC) chairman McCarthy and his tactics for rooting out communists.
When producer Friendly decides it's time to attack Sen. Joseph McCarthy's tactics for rooting out Communists, the environment around the "See It Now" grows tense, especially from the CBS president. When the episode airs, a disclaimer is aired, by Murrow himself, as a message to McCarthy that he may come on the show to retort the facts that would be stated. At the end of this episode, Murrow states what the episode was communicating and perhaps the entire film: "We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home. Good night, and good luck." When the episode attacking McCarthy airs, the support from viewers overwhelms CBS with letter supporting Murrow and Friendly 15:1. When McCarthy finally exhibits his interest to retort to the claims made on the show, one month earlier, the senator sends in a recorded tape which is played on air with commentary from Murrow.
This film is amazing considering it's coming from a first time director, especially a TV veteran. This has potential to scrounge up several Oscar nominations including Best Actor for Strathairn, Director for Clooney, Writing for Clooney and Heslov, and Best Picture.