The True Freedom of the Press

Rating: 8/10 (27 February 2006)

SPOILERS In the English dictionary, the term 'Witchhunt' is described as "an investigation carried out ostensibly to uncover subversive activities but actually used to harass and undermine those with differing views." Dating back from the Dark Ages when witches were blamed for practically every negative event, a witch-hunt is always going to violate human rights issues.
With the second world war over, America descended into the paranoia of the cold war. Believing Russian communist spies to be everywhere, Americans watched as friends, neighbours and former colleagues were rounded up and systematically accused of communist sympathies. Led from the front by Junior Senator Joseph McCarthy, these witch-hunts undermined everything that was free and honest about the American people. Filmed by George Clooney as a piece of hero worship towards news reporter Edward R Murrow, "Good Night, and Good Luck" tells the story of Murrow's involvement in the fight back against the paranoid senator.
Right from the outset, there is a notable pretension about this film. Shot in black and white, probably as an attempt to make it feel more like a documentary, and also to allow archive footage to blend more easily, the film is never short of a firm belief in the message it delivers.
Whether "Good Night, and Good Luck" deserves the pretension it possesses is difficult to really know. Beautifully shot, and a labour of love by George Clooney (who directed, co-wrote and starred in a supporting role), it encourages us to really believe in the freedom of the press. Fighting for a noble cause and determined to make themselves heard, the film portrays Murrow and the whole of the CBS News team as being martyrs to the cause. Refusing to be silenced by threats from both the senate and their superiors, they knock on the door of truth and then force their way in.
Yet, for all the beauty and the well meaning message that Clooney gives us, there is an element of irony about the whole issue. Here we have a film which preaches the freedom of the press and the notion that people should be offered a balanced argument. It goes out of it's way to suggest that McCarthy was offered a balanced platform with which to defend himself. Yet when it really comes down to it, we are looking at the events from one side only. Whilst the use of actual archive footage of McCarthy is definitely impressive, it does limit the film to what the man can say. We are never properly presented with an argument in his favour. Whether we agree with his witch-hunts or not, it is weird that a film about journalism should be so one sided.
A labour of love by Clooney, this really is a beautiful film to watch. Magically filmed and magnificent in structure, it truly does inspire the journalist in all of us. It is just disappointing therefore that in his desire to create a shrine to his idol, Clooney forgot to offer the opposition some form of defence.