Hollywood again trashes a great story

Rating: 5/10 (17 June 2006)

Murrow's story is a great one. His crusade - intent and execution - was heroic.
Unfortunately "Good Night & Good Luck" misses much of this story: Murrow's tension is gone in favor of stoic chain smoking; the behind-the-scenes politicking are compressed into 2-3 wordy scenes; Murrow does some talking on TV and the threat goes away. Even his breakdown with Paley is mostly handled in 1 scene.
Langella and Strathairn (always good) were excellent; Clooney was nothing; everyone else pallid.
This is the kind of movie about where the news reporters and staff are big heroes: flawless, on our side, saving the world - never just some folks trying to sell news. They're made to be busy to show how serious and worthwhile they are. They're dedicated and intense. The worst are the "newsroom feel" scenes, where several folks talk and shout at the same time until finally things settle down and you can hear the important announcement. Clooney uses this technique several times. Why: we already know how busy and self-important the 4th Estate is.
What's with the lengthy song interludes? Wouldn't 1 have given us a feel for things? How distracting was it to sit through an entire song while we're waiting to hear how Murrow's show went. And why show the entire Alcoa commercial? It's funny but, yeah, you get the point in 10-15 seconds.
The noise and busyness is unconscionable: The final scene has Friendly & Murrow talking to each other as they walk by Eisenhower making his freedom speech on TV. While all 3 are on scene you can't hear any of them.
It's a made-for-TV-movie with much filler. This is a shame as it's an important story. Rates a 5 only because the story is so significant.
Shattered Glass and Broadcast News are better looks into this world.