Great depiction

Rating: 8/10 (17 September 2008)

"Good Night and Good Luck" proved to be a very accurate and engaging film telling about 50s TV host Edward R. Murrow. Brilliant actor (though lesser known) David Strathairn, from films like "The Bourne Ultimatum" and "Sneakers" is perfectly cast here and has his role as Murrow down perfectly, right down to his gestures and ways of speaking. It has a feel similar to "All the President's Men," as a documentary meant simply to tell the true story. This film does not really attempt to go into grave details about much of Murrow's personal life or the lives of any working with him. The film is not necessarily meant to entertain, though it does at times. I was surprised that a film like this managed to squeeze all of the facts of the true story into a 90-minute movie. It is not boring; it is not long enough to become boring. The supporting cast, including Robert Downey, Jr., Jeff Daniels, and George Clooney (also director) is excellent and very realistic. Strathairn was robbed not to win the Oscar for this superb depiction of Murrow. Not absolutely perfect, but rarely do I see a film like this that doesn't have many dull spots. Worth seeing, one of the best documentary-like films I've seen.
*** out of ****