Good Night, And Good Luck. (PG)

Drama (2005)
93mins US

Starring: David Strathairn, George Clooney, Robert Downey Jr, Patricia Clarkson
Director: George Clooney
Listings: London | Rest of UK and Ireland

During the 1950s, Senator Joseph McCarthy rooted out so-called Communist traitors in his country through his televised witch hunt, condemning people as Communists, often without transparent proof. Horrified by McCarthy's tactics, CBS reporter Edward R Murrow and his loyal producer Fred Friendly, two of the guiding lights of the station's news output, decide to challenge the senator's authority. In a series of daring broadcasts, they openly criticize McCarthy and the terrifying powers at his disposal, causing massive ructions at the station.

Seen that movie? Leave a comment / review here >>

LondonNet Film Review

Journalism is founded on the right to freedom of expression. George Clooney's second directorial effort salutes the courage of a group of journalists, who put their reputations on the line to uphold this human right, and to expose the truth. Shot in crisp black and white by cinematographer Robert Elswit, Good Night, And Good Luck. is a stark and timely reminder of the responsibility borne by the media to its readers and listeners, as well as a riveting portrait of political intrigue.

Clooney and co-screenwriter Grant Heslov incorporate many key speeches of the era into their tightly woven narrative, which is framed by the October 1958 industry tribute to iconic CBS reporter Edward R Murrow. Actual footage of the time is seamlessly interwoven into authentically replicated scenes, creating a mesmerizing and accurate account of a war of words that caught the public attention when television was in its infancy.

During the '50s, Senator Joseph McCarthy rooted out so-called communist traitors in his country through his televised witch-hunt, condemning people as 'reds', often without transparent proof. Suspects were declared guilty without trial, the charges against them sealed from prying eyes. Paranoia and suspicion leached into everyday life; those people accused of communist sympathies were compelled to besmirch the good name of other Americans.

Horrified by McCarthy's bullying tactics, CBS reporter Edward R Murrow (David Strathairn) and his loyal producer Fred Friendly (Clooney), two of the guiding lights of the station's See It Now news programme, decide to challenge the senator's authority. Against the wishes of their boss, Sig Mickelson (Jeff Daniels), Murrow and Friendly take up the case of Milo Radulovich, a navy pilot, who had refused to denounce his father and sister.

In a series of daring broadcasts, which begin on March 9, 1954, they openly criticize McCarthy and the terrifying powers at his disposal, causing massive ructions at the station. In retaliation, the senator labels Murrow a communist and the reporter has no choice but to fight for his good name, and the reputations of the people around him. CBS head honcho William Paley (Frank Langella) backs Murrow in his crusade, aware that one false step could bring down the entire station. Supported by a loyal team of reporters, including Don Hewitt (Grant Heslov), Joe Wershba (Robert Downey Jr), Palmer William (Tom McCarthy), Jesse Zousmer (Tate Donovan), John Aaron (Reed Diamond), Charlie Mack (Robert John Burke) and Eddie Scott (Matt Ross), Murrow fights vitriol with journalist rigour and scorn.

Good Night, And Good Luck. brilliantly captures the tensions within the newsroom as Murrow and his team bravely carve out their niche in history. "I told them I didn't want to do the story," says Fred. "You always were yellow," quips Murrow. "Better than red," retorts the producer, with a gentle knowing smile. The ensemble cast is flawless, including the radiant Patricia Clarkson as the sole woman in the newsroom, who is forced to conceal her marriage to Joe Wershba because of strict station rules forbidding relationships between staff. David Strathairn captures the necessary gravitas as Murrow, a man who held fast to principals of honesty and justice, and was willing to sacrifice himself to protect the vulnerable and weak. Murrow, the man who "threw stones at giants", and didn't crack."

Ralph Jennings

London Cinemas

Rest of UK and Irish Cinemas

Listed in alphabetical order by city/place name followed by cinema name.