Reminder of the Times

Rating: 10/10 (4 February 2006)

In "Good Night, and Good Luck", Edward R. Murrow says:
"We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason if we dig deep in our history and doctrine and remember that we are not descended from fearful men, not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate and to defend causes which were for the moment unpopular. We can deny our heritage and our history, but we cannot escape responsibility for the result. There is no way for a citizen of the Republic to abdicate his responsibility."
In Director George Clooney's film set in 1958 following the end of the Joseph McCarthy hearings, Murrow's words still hold power for us as a reminder of our responsibility and due diligence as champions of freedom. The virtue of freedom is sacred in the world conflict balancing global terrorism and innate patriotism. Sometimes lines are crossed. Clooney's "Good Night, and Good Luck" with the powerful David Strathairn as Murrow is the amazing story of the fight for freedom and conscience when this line is crossed. The screenplay by Clooney and Grant Heslov follows CBS news anchor Edward R. Murrow's confrontation with Senator Joseph McCarthy which eventually led to McCarthy's censure. McCarthy 1950's reign of terror leveraging guilt by association (to Communists) is part of American history, and a cautionary tale to future generations.
During a news story meeting in 1953, Murrow (Strathairn) tells news director Fred Friendly (George Clooney) that in Detroit, Lt. Radulovich was dismissed from the Army because of a relations' tie to a Communist group, done without any apparent due process. Friendly reminds Murrow that if they run with the story they would bring upon themselves huge political consequences, and financial burden upon CBS. This does not escape Network President William Paley (Frank Langella). Murrow and Friendly are aware that their search to uncover the truth makes them McCarthy targets. Murrow broadcasts the story. Langella embodies a quiet strength and gravity as Paley, who defends freedom of speech and reminds Murrow and Friendly that their broadcasts will cost CBS valuable sponsor dollars. He also points out to Murrow that even he consciously tempers his own righteousness. Strathairn's Murrow must choose whether he is going to be a martyr for the cause or be the cause itself. Strathairn is powerful and compelling as Murrow becomes the later. Strathairn brings such an integrity and compassion in a delicately restrained performance. Here less is powerful. When one of his team bows out of the story because his ex attended "communists" meetings, Murrow says: "If none of us ever read a book that was 'dangerous,' nor had a friend who was 'different,' or never joined an organization that advocated 'change,' we would all be just the kind of people Joe McCarthy wants." Clooney is awesome as Friendly. He brings a conviction and strength of character to Friendly that never overshadows Strathairn's Murrow. His is a perfectly nuanced partnership.
As director, George Clooney is an amazing and gifted storyteller. His style is clean, clear, and passionate. If there is one thing that is perhaps missing that would be any insight into Murrow the man, his personal life, aside from news anchor. Clooney lends a personal touch with the story of Joe and Shirley Wershba (Robert Downey Jr. and Patricia Clarkson). Both do an amazing job, though following Murrow home from the newsroom would have been compelling. Clooney along with his co-writer Heslov brilliantly employ a retrospective story structure, so our eye is not so much on the outcome rather on the journey. Clooney elicits great performances from his talented cast that includes Langella, Jeff Daniels, Downey, Clarkson, along with Strathairn. "Good Night, and Good Luck" is one of the year's best that reminds us of our responsibility to defend freedom in the most trying of timeswhich may be today.