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Good Night and Good Luck (2005) ...
The appearance of this film may not bring pleasure to everyone, especially if you're not a fan of television's golden age.
| Released: | 2005 |
| Running Time: | 93 minutes |
| Cast: | Jeff
Daniels .... Sig Mickelson David Strathairn .... Edward R. Murrow Patricia Clarkson .... Shirley Wershba Robert Downey Jr. .... Joe Wershba George Clooney .... Fred Friendly Frank Langella .... William Paley |
| Writers: | George Clooney Grant Heslov |
| Director: | George Clooney |
| My Rating | ***1/2 |
"Good Night and Good Luck" is Clooney's second film as director (and as
co-star in the same time). It is one of the best films of the year 2005, and it
exercises a powerful message and social commentary which remains relevant even
today. The action is placed in the early years of broadcast journalism, the
'50s, and it portrays a conflict between veteran radio and television journalist
Edward R. Murrow and Joseph McCarthy, Senator of Wisconsin. The title of this
movie is actually a paraphrase taken from the line which ended all Murrow's
broadcasts.
Clooney plays the role of co-producer Fred Friendly, who assisted Murrow in the creation of "See it Now" (a CBS program). Along with Edward R. Murrow and his team, Friendly fights to discredit the tactics used by Senator MCarthy during his crusade to root out the communists elements which existed inside the government.
Even if the movie was released in black and white, "Good Night and Good Luck" was actually filmed on color film stock, on grey scale set. The atmosphere in the movie and the post production later corrections have depicted perfectly the golden years of television. It seems that Clooney's years spent on his father's TV set have definitely borne fruits.
The greatness of this movie's success doesn't stand in George Clooney directing it only. There is no term of comparison when it comes to the words spoken with such conviction and honesty by Murrow. In fact, the movie isn't really about the abuses Joseph McCarthy has made; it rather deals with the complex process by which Edward R. Murrow and his team have eventually brought about the senator's downfall. It's not about violence or war, it's about tactics and perspicacity and the way in which politics and show business can affect each other.
The
appearance of this film may not bring pleasure to everyone, especially if you're
not a fan of television's golden age. My first reaction was to reject it, just
because it was on black and white film. Nevertheless, the things that are spoken
and the events that are followed may easily be perceived as actual and made me
respect it and like it. I've learned about the power of mass-media means,
especially television and I've learned about the way in which words and facts
can influence the state of a country and can change the political perspectives
of its inhabitants.
The end of "Good Night and Good Luck" resembles the end of any TV show in the series of "See it Now". Edward Murrow ended his shows hoping that people would grow aware of the facts he has revealed about Senator McCarthy's strategies. George Clooney ends his movie abruptly, as if letting the audience judge and why not take action regarding such phenomena. Murrow doesn't fail in his attempts to make things clear, one man is just not enough in this battle.
To state a conclusion, this movie should be seen by as many people as possible, as it may function as a parable and as an educational support as well. "Good Night and Good Luck" is a fact-based drama which has a lot to say about the present state of journalism (regardless of the fact that the action is placed in the '50s). It states the obligation of television journalism (especially the news media department) to challenge and criticize governmental actions and to inform the population about them.
This movie has over 14 awards and nominations and it brought George Clooney a great amount of respect from people who thought he can't do anything else but embody thieves and detectives on the silver screen.
