Bravo to George Clooney

Rating: 10/10 (27 October 2005)

There is not much more I can add to what already has been said about this wonderful picture. I too am grateful that Clooney showed the real McCarthy. Had he used an actor, viewers who were not familiar with him would think the actor was over the top. (Did anyone notice a very young Bobby Kennedy sitting at the table with McCarthy?) I have my own opinions about Kennedy but I won't air them here.
Strathairn is wonderful, as usual, and I'm sure it won't be his last great performance. He is consistently amazing.
May I recommend viewing Point of View, a documentary featuring tapes of the actual hearing? Definitely worth checking out.
I was surprised to find tears running down my face at the loss of courageous newspeople willing to speak out. Murrow was absolutely right and television has destroyed the political process with it's ten-second soundbites, talking heads and propogation of lies and smears with no one willing to take on these talking heads who spout venom. I personally think voters were more intelligent back then, when sponsors like, yes, Alcoa made possible shows like Playhouse 90, Alcoa Hour featuring performances by young actors who would become stars. One such was Paul Newman (and the shows were live, not live on tape).