Good Night and Good Luck (2005 film)

Good Night and Good Luck (2005  film)

Written and directed by George Clooney, this movie shows  a slice of American history – 1953 – and the war of words between  Edward R. Murrow (David Strathaim) and Senator Joe McCarthy (play by himself – using actual archival footage). 

I enjoyed the movie, only wishing for more.  It shows a small snippet of the House Un-American Activities Committee, its dying breathes.  The movie also gives a window into the operations of 1950’s newsrooms and networks.  The acting is superb.  Strathaim is joined by a superior cast including Patricia Clarkson, Jeff Daniels, Robert Downey Jr, Frank Langella, and Georgoe Clooney.  The straight-forward writing is fitting to the subject and the sub-plots gave it authenticity.  I know some reviewers don’t like sub-plots which may appear have nothing to do with the story, but in a period piece I think it is appropriate and gives it depth.  The script pulls from transcripts, newsreels, individual recollections, and several other contemporary sources.  Robert Elswit’s cinematography is a beautiful aspect of the story-telling.  As with most well-done historical pieces, the pace fits the mood and the subject.   

A few fun facts about the production, Clooney’s salary was only $1 each for acting, directing, and writing.  He had to fund the project himself – taking a huge personal risk – and only made money from his share of the profits.  If the movie had not done well, he might have lost everything.  Also there is a myth/rumor/story of tests audience complaining that the actor playing McCarthy was too over the top (not realizing they were watching actual newsreels).