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During the 1950s, the United States were gripped by the "Reds Under the Bed" scandal perpetrated by Senator Joe McCarthy. His personal dislike and mistrust of communism led him on a witch-hunt against those that were in any way different. After a CBS magazine programme brought to light the plight of a US Air Force officer discharged without trial, his bile focussed on anchorman Edward R Murrow. Pressure began to mount to have Murrow fired, but with the backing of the station and producer Fred Friendly, he launched a counter-attack against the rabid senator. A show was broadcast that highlighted McCarthy's use of smear tactics and unsubstantiated accusations against those that opposed him.
As an actor, George Clooney is known for cruising by on his looks and easy charm. As a director and producer he's chosen a harder path, championing difficult and often unpopular topics and projects. Frankly it would be difficult to imagine anyone else being able to get this retro political bio-pic off the ground. The McCarthyist witch-hunts are remembered with shame by most of America, making it a touchy subject at best. But Clooney manages it with aplomb, capturing the hustle and bustle of a busy newsroom with alert, lively camerawork. There's urgency about the shooting style that gives the film a sense of immediacy that is impossible to ignore. You hardly notice that practically the whole movie unfurls within the confines of the CBS studios - it is that compelling. Shooting in creamy monochrome usually reserved for film noir is a nod to the period
setting and enables Clooney to seamlessly insert television footage from the era. So instead of recreating the past, it becomes contemporary. And using archive footage of Senator McCarthy instead of getting an actor is a stroke of genius. It shows just what a dangerous zealot he was and adds extra zing to the proceedings. As does recreating parts of Murrow's TV specials where he directly addresses the audience, drawing you in and making the film feel more personal to you. The film is packed with period detail and it's easy to believe you are there - you can practically smell Murrow's ever-present cigarette smoke. Indeed this would be the most awful anti-smoking advert ever, had the broadcaster not subsequently died of cancer.
Though at times it is almost claustrophobically up-close intimate, it deals with big issues that echo through our own time. It is the issues and not the characters that are important here, so there's no room for showboating among the ensemble cast. If anything understatement is the name of the game, which is potentially tricky as the players only have a very short amount of screen-time in which to establish their characters and relationships. But the high calibre cast are more than capable and with Clooney's firm but light touch are able to create the maximum output with minimum input. The result is a taut ninety-three minutes that gets you thinking long after the movie has ended.
Clooney's screenplay, co-written with fellow actor Grant Heslov captures the essence of the historical events while drawing parallels with today's media. But they do this without spoon-feeding the audience. It's nice to see a script that credits the viewer with some intelligence, making quiet suggestions and allowing the audience to draw their own conclusions. There are some BIG topics here; questions of media responsibility, government security and personal freedom and personal beliefs infiltrating political policy all rear their heads. So it may be a period piece in style, but its content will resonate with modern watchers. However, the issues in the film have the propensity to overshadow the smaller character studies within it. This means that many of the sub-plots (like the Wershba's secret marriage) feel unfinished. This in turn undermines the characterisation and they feel like incidental characters instead of key players. Even Murrow tends to feel like a cipher for journalistic integrity because there's no dirt on him. Much of the dialogue is pieced together from Murrow's own words, lending it an air of intense authenticity. However it does have a tendency to deal in slogans that foreground the movie's agenda ("The terror is right here in this room"). Though it shows prescience on the anchorman's part; even in TV's early days he commented that authorities preferred the small screen to "distract, delude, amuse and insulate".
The high-quality ensemble cast are always impressive, but their performances pivot around David Strathairn's flawless representation of Edward R Murrow. As well as being a dispassionate observer in his career, Murrow comes across as a solitary figure in his personal life. He's the consummate journalist; a focussed, determined agent provocateur that never allows his feelings to cloud his judgement. His integrity is second to none and his terrier-like tenacity in his quest for the truth makes him a formidable opponent.
Dough-faced Senator Joseph McCarthy sweats, insinuates and shouts his way through a series of face-offs with everyone from members of the public to Murrow himself. He's every spin-doctor's worst nightmare; a self-incriminating bigot that just doesn't know when to stop. It's his refusal to accept that what he's doing is any way wrong that makes him such a monster. He digs himself so deep into a hole, it would be funny if you didn't know he wielded such power at the time.
The supporting cast is generally splendid; giving their all to their performances, regardless of the size of role. George Clooney is droll as Murrow's committed producer Fred Friendly, adding a little sparkle. Frank Langella is bullish and stubborn as CBS owner William Paley. You can sense his fear under the bravado, making him more human than might at first appear. Robert Downey Jr is loyal, cubbish and questioning, as you might expect from an investigative journalist like Joe Wershba. As his wife and fellow reporter, Shirley Wershba, Patricia Clarkson has little chance to come across as anything other than a vague warm and fun presence, but is still eminently likeable.
The soundtrack features little incidental music in the traditional sense. Sung on set by a full jazz band and marvellous soloist, they bring out all manner of swing standards chosen for their ability to comment on the action. So expect plenty of blowsy brass (especially saxophone), double bass and piano with silky jazz vocals over the top of classics like "One for the Road".
"Good Night, And Good Luck" is a thought-provoking film that marries period setting with current concerns, crediting the audience with having a brain. The direction is smooth and assured, creating creamy visuals that draw you in. Strathairn is amazing in the central role, showing how subtlety can make a performance. Even if you didn't know anything about McCarthy and his machinations before the movie, you'll want to find out more after seeing it.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Production Year: 2000 - Drama - Director: Giuseppe Tornatore - Original Language: Italian - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Monica Bellucci, Giuseppe Sulfaro, Luciano Federico, Matilde Piana
Great review. WIll be continuing to check out your reviews in the future. Rich
tigswade 10.10.2006 14:03
A really excellent and thoughtful analysis of this film. I watched the film myself a couple of months ago and thought it very good. Although I knew something of this period of history I was stunned by the actual details revealed. I think you capture the essence of this film very well in your review. Great stuff.
Advantages: Outstanding writing and direction by George Clooney, exceptional fimmaking all around Disadvantages: Most may not be interested in the real-life events, or may not find the subject matter riveting enough
Advantages: Outstanding writing and direction by George Clooney, exceptional fimmaking all around Disadvantages: Most may not be interested in the real-life events, or may not find the subject matter riveting enough
Oct 10th, 2006
exceptional by (6%):
very helpful by (94%):
