It's great. No more than is needed, and no less.

Rating: 8/10 (12 November 2005)

I HIGHLY recommend this one. If you have any interest in either McCarthyism or TV journalism's history, this is up your alley. George Clooney made the right call here to only go as far's the record allowed, not to try and make a three hour Stone-like epic, and not get into histrionics. The footage of McCarthy speaks volumes alone.
David Straithairn is the best part of this, as Murrow you couldn't ask for anymore. Clooney wisely steps back and acts as the capable supporting co-star and doesn't get in the way. You get some nicely menacing shots of The Powers that Be-in the form of two Air Force Colonels, William S Paley(knowing he has to look over his shoulder at his sponsers etc all the time), and McCarthy's minions in the press and gov't.
I am not so sure that the suicide of Hollenback was well-thought out, you get a few nasty columns about you(as an experienced reporter why would he care?) and then you check yourself out? I didn't quite buy that. There hadda be more to his story.
The same can be said for Robert Downey Jr's side-story w/ his wife; it's not developed the way you need to make the audience really care about their plight. This is after all Murrow's story, and we get nothing about the guy's personal life.
All that aside-this is Oscar material. Daniels and Langella are especially fine as supporters.
**** outta ****. It's great. McCarthy was a bastard and good for Clooney for showing us that again.