lean, stylish, taught and cerebral

Rating: 9/10 (3 November 2007)

Edmund Burke's admonition, "All it takes for evil to thrive is for good men and women to do nothing," is one theme underlying this depiction of an unsettling episode in US 20th century history. However, given the events shaping the early 21st century, another guiding theme would seem to be Santayana's, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Shining light on the past to illustrate the present could easily lead to celluloid finger-wagging, but Clooney's direction and the acting by the principles excels in this wonderful film that gives food for thought while never sacrificing character and story.
The combination of tight close-ups, black and white photography and library footage gives the film an authentic 1950s feel, not just in art direction but in terms of the claustrophobic atmosphere produced by the Senate committee hearings. Wry parody on cigarette advertising adds humour, as do cultural references to contemporary figures such as Liberace, waxing lyrical on the search for the right girl. All of these are interesting, well-integrated tangents to the main story, the courage required to face up to political power. David Strathairn as Murrow never falters, combining rapier-like wit, intelligence and articulateness with moments of self-doubt and genuine fear.
This is an unflinchingly political film, the likes of which are too few and far between. The story works purely as a re-telling of events that took place a lifetime ago. However, it also asks the question, where are the Murrows who will stand up to present-day demagogues? Contemplating the answer to that question is bleaker than the events portrayed therein. Good night and good luck, indeed.