Blessed is he who in the name of charity and good will shepherds the weak through the valley of dark...
Blessed is he who in the name of charity and good will shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness (...) And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers.
Member since:13.03.2007
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George Clooney was a TV star that became a movie star with some interesting choices. Initially partnering with Steven Soderbergh to produce movies, he started directing in 2002 with "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind". I wouldn't say it was an ascending path but a coherent one, and so it's no surprise all the acclamation surrounding "Good Night, and Good Luck".
This movie is a very personal project for Clooney, since his father used to be a journalist and an ardent devotee of Edward Murrow, but is also a project that echoes universally, making every sense its production in the XXI century, since it deals with the TV role as the possibility to build a better world. And more: what is discussed in the American television during the 50's is the freedom of speech, ideologies. In one way or the other, let's see the world we live in.
And Clooney shows exactly what he has in mind, achieving completely his objectives, through an excellent direction, revealing a narrative economy (a bit more of movie wouldn't hurt) and a visual awareness with great level. In this last case, it's amazing to think he lost the Oscar for Best Cinematography for example. It is fabulous, a black and white "oldie" for a rigorous recreation of those times (the movie was actually filmed on colour film stock in a greyscale set, and later colour corrected).
Building a movie completely filmed inside doors is another aspect of major importance for the creation of the environment Clooney was looking for: You can feel the newsroom intensity and the interaction of the characters in their common challenges and objectives.
It's like if that newsroom was the mirror of the perfect American community. And related to this mirror, there is a delicious and key detail: the Wershba's, Shirley (Patricia Clarkson) and Joe (Robert Downey Jr.) working together; forbidden condition in a newsroom at the time, that everyone there knows about it, but no one is against it. And the relationship between Edward R. Murrow (David Strathaim) and his editor (played by Clooney himself). Actually not only that, but the relationship between all those six extraordinary Americans who dared to tell the truth.
It is that community that fights the evil, in this case Senator Joseph McCarthy (not represented by anyone, the moments he appears are all from archive footages) and his "Witch's hunt". The message is transmitted and the movie is in the antipode of the flyers. And in relation to this, I just don't really appreciate the jazz singer (Dianne Reeves).
Last word for the marvellous cast, full of great actors, several times forgotten in Hollywood (Clarkson, Jeff Daniels). A reborned (Downey Jr.) and Clooney showing that there's no need for a physical alteration of "Syriana"(2005), only a group of luxurious supporting actors lead by a magistral David Strathairn.
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
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
Apr 19th, 2007
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