The best of its kind since "All The President's Men". Career high for pitch-perfect Strathairn.

Rating: 9/10 (17 October 2005)

GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK (2005) ***1/2 David Strathairn, Robert Downey, Jr., Patricia Clarkson, Ray Wise, Frank Langella, Jeff Daniels, Tate Donovan, Thomas McCarthy, Matt Ross, Reed Diamond, Robert John Burke, Grant Heslov, Alex Borstein, Excellent journalistic drama quasi biopic documenting esteemed CBS news anchor Edward R. Murrow (a sterling Strathairn in a career best turn) battling his network, execs and namely the source of his troubles, lead story Sen. Joseph McCarthy and his endless campaign of anti-Communism doggerel that nearly toppled Washington to the brink of madness. Clooney, who co-stars as Murrow's good friend and producer Fred Friendly, co-wrote with Heslov this smart, sharp screenplay and directs assuredly allowing his fine ensemble to dig into the nitty-gritty of the '50s era newsmen and women with customary finesse. Shot in gorgeous black and white film by Robert Elswit (who helmed for filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson's films) and tightly edited by Stephen Mirrione the film never wavers in its take on patriotism, bullying scare tactics (nice decision to show McCarthy as himself in archival footage than employ a real actor) and what it means for integrity to stand for something; perhaps the best of its kind since "All The President's Men".