"Good Night, and Good Luck"
"Most truths are so naked that people feel sorry for them and cover them up, at least a little bit."--Edward R. Murrow
George Clooney's directorial debut was a complicated, if flawed, film called "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind." His follow up is no less complicated, but much less flawed. During the 40's and 50's America was at war with itself. The Communist enemy didn't have the decency to fight on the battlefield, but would wage war right here on our soil, in the hearts and minds of our neighbors. Every one was suspect, and many were accused. Jobs were lost, marriages ended, lives ruined, mostly because of the actions of one man, Senator Joseph McCarthy. McCarthy ran the investigations into communist activities here at home, and was largely unnopposed, because to run afoul of him, was to declare your communist sympathies. Edward Murrow, one of the most highly trusted and awarded newsmen of the day, did oppose McCarthy. And the "junior Senator from Wisconsin" eventually lost his lofty perch, because of Murrow's stand.
It is perhaps the greatest triumph of one news team in the history of the press. It's a great story, but how do you tell it cinematically? Clooney has chosen to use newsreels, and transcripts only fictionalizing when no written account existed. He shoots in black and white, so as to better integrate the news footage with the dramatized scenes. The film is beautiful and is a testament that when used properly, by someone who knows how, black and white can be every bit as expressive as color. The acting is excellent, but in a style different than most of today's films. The actors feel as if they live in Murrow's 1950's world, and the story is more coherent because of it.
This is a film about two men, Murrow (portrayed by David Strathairn) and McCarthy (shown in his own words from news footage). This back and forth in their own words (McCarthy in news footage, and Murrow's dialogue mostly from transcripts) is fascinating. The passion of the two men, is obvious and enthralling. David Strathairn, an underappreciated actor anyway, has never been better than he is here. Clooney in a small role as Producer, Fred Friendly, is good but not distracting. One wonders if he will always keep a role for himself directorial efforts or if, as his Director stock rises, he'll fade behind the camera.
While Politics, civil liberties, freedom, and American history are the topics of the film, you don't have to love those subjects to enjoy "Good Night, and Good Luck." Young people, particularly those interested in writing, journalism or otherwise, should be required to see this movie. It is a love letter from George Clooney, to one of his heroes, and a thank you to the father of television journalism.
George Clooney's directorial debut was a complicated, if flawed, film called "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind." His follow up is no less complicated, but much less flawed. During the 40's and 50's America was at war with itself. The Communist enemy didn't have the decency to fight on the battlefield, but would wage war right here on our soil, in the hearts and minds of our neighbors. Every one was suspect, and many were accused. Jobs were lost, marriages ended, lives ruined, mostly because of the actions of one man, Senator Joseph McCarthy. McCarthy ran the investigations into communist activities here at home, and was largely unnopposed, because to run afoul of him, was to declare your communist sympathies. Edward Murrow, one of the most highly trusted and awarded newsmen of the day, did oppose McCarthy. And the "junior Senator from Wisconsin" eventually lost his lofty perch, because of Murrow's stand.
It is perhaps the greatest triumph of one news team in the history of the press. It's a great story, but how do you tell it cinematically? Clooney has chosen to use newsreels, and transcripts only fictionalizing when no written account existed. He shoots in black and white, so as to better integrate the news footage with the dramatized scenes. The film is beautiful and is a testament that when used properly, by someone who knows how, black and white can be every bit as expressive as color. The acting is excellent, but in a style different than most of today's films. The actors feel as if they live in Murrow's 1950's world, and the story is more coherent because of it.
This is a film about two men, Murrow (portrayed by David Strathairn) and McCarthy (shown in his own words from news footage). This back and forth in their own words (McCarthy in news footage, and Murrow's dialogue mostly from transcripts) is fascinating. The passion of the two men, is obvious and enthralling. David Strathairn, an underappreciated actor anyway, has never been better than he is here. Clooney in a small role as Producer, Fred Friendly, is good but not distracting. One wonders if he will always keep a role for himself directorial efforts or if, as his Director stock rises, he'll fade behind the camera.
While Politics, civil liberties, freedom, and American history are the topics of the film, you don't have to love those subjects to enjoy "Good Night, and Good Luck." Young people, particularly those interested in writing, journalism or otherwise, should be required to see this movie. It is a love letter from George Clooney, to one of his heroes, and a thank you to the father of television journalism.
posted by Daddy Rogue at 8:25 AM
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