Mopral Journalism, Where Did You Go?

Rating: 8/10 (6 January 2008)

This is a class movie by a class director full of great subtle performances by the whole cast. Clooney directs and fills a supporting role in this movie based around the media's response to the McCarthy enquiry. David Strathairn is fantastic in the lead role of television journalist Ed Murrow who leads a one man campaign to show the public the injustice's of Senator Joe McCarthy. He stands when many would fall withstanding pressures from the network and it's associated corporations. This is a message that Clooney knows is still completely relevant today (if not more so, if you consider the American television coverage of Iraq). The film is shot in black and white given it a lovely noir type atmosphere, you can almost smell the smoked filled rooms that broadcasters habit. The films is well shot with some real nice stylistic shots that must have Lent a sly smile to Sodenberg. These is a slow movie at it certainly helps if you are a fan of Clooney or have an interest in politics and like Clooney lean to the left (which are all pluses for me), but there is also a superb supporting cast who all give fine performances including Robert Downey Jnr (being remarkably restrained) , Clooney himself, Jeff Bridges and Patricia Clarkson matching the boys with the only substantial female role. I will certainly be watching this movie again and I recommend you give it a chance.