Documentary like

Rating: 9/10 (17 February 2006)

'Good Night, and Good Luck' is a movie which one'll either like or hate. I, however, as a non-American, take a more neutral stance.
GDAGL is a honest movie depicting the Red Scare of the 50s when the fear for Communism was very heightened in the US. To say it's a movie might be an exaggeration, since in many ways, it looks more like a documentary. Historical footages feature rather strongly in the film, making the acted part seem like its supplement. It is interesting, however, that the story told by the acted part, which is very great by the way, thanks to both Strathairn and Clooney, is the main storyline. We saw a group of TV programme producers struggle to censure the madness of a senator whose influence gained weight over the years and brought the political terror to new heights. The story was not very powerfully delivered, but it is this relatively calmness of the atmosphere (e.g. no music or sound effect most of the time; no emotion-provoking elements found in similar movies like 'The Insider') which brings out the seriousness of the issue.
The movie, however, suffers from a relatively weak character development. While the story about Strathairn and Clooney was reasonably well-told, other characters which have a measurable screen time are like blackboxes to the audience. Although one may argue that it is the story which matters in the movie, one cannot but wonder what the significance of Patricia Clarkson's story is.
GNAGL is not a thriller with cliffhangers popping up every five minutes. It is on the contrary a solid piece of historical work: it only reminds the audience of a story which the director finds important. In other words, no viewers should watch it and expect a breath-taking experience but should be prepared to be briefed on a serious political event retold by an amazing cast.