Review of Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005) by Gerard A — 21 Feb 2011

Good Night & Good Luck was the signature sign-off of prominent 50s broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow - a brave, articulate man who blazed a trail back for serious journalism at the dawn of TV. An unsung, but undoubtably important figure, Murrow (David Strathairn) is shown here as a man not afraid to tackle the wrongdoings of his own goverment during the Cold War communist scare-mongering.

Brought to the screen by (and featuring in a supporting role) George Clooney - Good Night & Good Luck is a wonderfully composed insight into a true investigative pioneer. Shot in Black & White (allowing a seamless integratation with archive footage) and matched with a long list of star-powered support - Good Night & Good Luck quickly cemets itself as a movie of real quality. Taking a subject matter with modest appeal and enlivening it with sharp exchanges, beguiling performances and era-capturing touches (the musical interludes), the film casts a bright light on a deserving figure and examines the potential power of TV. It manages to both entertain and inform about a time when the US government's power needed to be challenged or at least questioned - as relevant today as it was back then.

Strathairn's performance as Murrow is excellent - capturing the will and desire but also the nervous excitement of lighting a political touchpaper. The supporting cast are without falt (Ray Wise, Frank Lagella and Clooney himself are probably the standouts). The inclusion of plenty of authentic footage of McCarthy does the job better than any recreation, really selling the reality behind the events. The closing diaglogue from Murrow is powerful, thought-provoking stuff.

I can only finish by saying Good Night & Good Luck.