Classy, clever and executed fantastically

Rating: 9/10 (10 September 2016)

"Good Night and Good Luck" is, in short, a superb piece of historical film, both at once giving an excellent insight into the world of television making and a clever piece on the Red Scare, and the infamous Sen. Joseph McCarthy. Its close knit approach feels personal, while the cinematography is brilliant, and the acting is stellar.
Perhaps the films greatest strength is its pacing; the film is roughly cut into three sections, each concluding with a broadcast from Edward R Murrow, while in between, events play out without a hitch and a surprising amount of tension is built up throughout the story.
The connections between the characters are also superb; Murrow and Friendly serve as the focus point of the film, and their chemistry is strong and interesting. The CBS crew are a perfect addition to this, being far more than just background characters; they greatly expand the story and build on the personal feel of the film. You feel as though you aren't just viewing these characters, but are actually part of their team, something that is expanded upon by the cinematography.
The antagonists of the film are also well designed. While the story's structure doesn't quite permit a truly defined antagonist, the twists at the end with Hollenbeck's suicide and Payley's ultimatum for Murrow and Friendly reveal that the true enemy in this film are symbolic - they are the influence of corporate sponsors and the impact of the fear that McCarthyism helped to create. That really defines the films hard hitting message, and helps to portray the semi-victorious main characters as vulnerable. In short, it's a clever touch that really strengthens the film.
Then, there is the cinematography. Some might say that the deliberate use of black and white filming is pretentious, but its all about creating atmosphere and authenticity. Particularly in HD, it is a superb looking film. The camera movements and positioning all help to generate the personal feel, especially with how the vast majority of shots are from eye-level. The use of rooms and windows too with the visuals of the film are a neat idea, and help to separate the film from mainstream movies.
Flaws in this film are very few and far between, with the only I can think of being related to your opinion of the film as oppose to any genuine problems. It is such a well crafted piece of cinema.
To conclude, Good Night and Good Luck is essential viewing for anyone interested in this part of history, but also for anyone who wants a drama film that's a little more special than the average one. Excellent casting, very well written and gorgeously filmed, this is truly a gem of a film.