Susan Granger’s review of “Good Night, And Good Luck” (Warner Independent Pictures)
As timely as today’s headlines, this subtle yet compelling, black-and-white docudrama indicts the government’s intolerance towards dissent, often equating it with lack of patriotism, even disloyalty, and upholds the right, indeed the requirement of journalists to report the truth.
Set in the 1950s, crusading CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow (David Strathairn) and his TV producer Fred Friendly (George Clooney) take on bullying, Red-baiting Wisconsin Sen. Joseph McCarthy over the future of broadcast journalism, much to the consternation of their boss, William S. Paley (Frank Langella), who is forced to express the network’s corporate caution.
As co-writer with Grant Heslov and director, George Clooney distinguishes his dashing, dazzling career with this totally focused glimpse into the political witch-hunts of the House Un-American Activities Committee, bookended by a 1958 speech Murrow gave criticizing TV’s tendency to “detract, delude, amuse and insulate us.” Set almost entirely within the confines of CBS newsrooms, it’s permeated with fear as Murrow warns, “We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home.” Almost hypnotic in his Oscar-worthy intensity, David Strathairn is the sly, chain-smoking broadcaster, best remembered for his bulletins from London during W.W.II, then as host of “See It Now.” Robert Downey Jr., Patricia Clarkson, Jeff Daniels and Ray Wise lend strong support. Robert Elswit’s cinematography, Jim Bissel’s production design and Stephen Mirrione’s editing and use of archival footage are impeccable, while Dianne Reeves’ jazz vocals serve as a kind of musical Greek chorus for the drama. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Good Night, and Good Luck” is an engaging 10, one of the best pictures of the year.
