I love Good Night, and Good Luck (hell, I chose it as my best picture of 2005). George Clooney brings a trained eye and steady hand both in front of and behind the camera and David Strathairn gave a performance worthy not only of his nomination but should have received the Oscar for his role as Edward R. Murrow. It’s the most complete and important film of 2005 and hopefully it will find a wider audience on DVD as the country comes to appreciate what great film making can accomplish.
Good Night, and Good Luck
5 Stars
“This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box.”
Edward R. Murrow believed that it was the responsibility of television not only to entertain but also to educate and inform. George Clooney’s film takes the idea that the news should be pure and driven to discover the truth and promote discussion as it’s central theme. In Clooney’s view this responsibility of journalism is neither antiquated nor dull and for ninety-three minutes the film proves him correct every step of the way.
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Yes David Strathairn‘s performance as legendary newsman Edward R. Murrow is the heart and soul of this movie but the film belongs to George Clooney. The son of anchorman Nick Clooney he grew up in a house that respected journalism in general and investigative news in particular. To Clooney the project of bringing Murrow’s story to the screen is as much a message about the current state of journalism as pointing out what he calls one of the two most important events of network news.
With the help of people connected with See it Now Clooney set forth to bring the story to Hollywood and what he produces not only tells the important lessons learned from McCarthyism but never becomes preachy and never fails to entertain. The film is beautiful in black and white and recreates the feel and look of the time period of a 50’s newsroom and the struggle to put on an important piece of journalism against the wishes of sponsors. Filled with great performances headlined by Strathairn but also including Clooney, Robert Downey Jr, Frank Langella, Jeff Daniels, Patricia Clarkson, Ray Wise and Tate Donovan who all give their very best. For more on the movie itself check out my original review.
This is a wonderful film that the whole family can enjoy (who would have thunk the best film of 2005 would be PG?). It educates and entertains as well as giving us an important message. To do all of these things is good cinema. To do them all this well is incredible. The addition of the featurette and commentary track give you an inside look into Clooney’s desire and need to see the film made and his hope that it may inspire discussion and change in today’s news industry. In ten years no one is going to remember Crash or Brokeback Mountain but this film (along with Spielberg’s Munich) will not only survive the test of time but hopeful will garner the acknowledgement that it so richly deserves.