|
| Movie Review: Good Night and Good Luck Alternate Title: See it Then, See it Now
Story: Everything is right about
this film. It works on all levels. It is entertaining, thought provoking,
intelligent, well casted, compelling and good to look at thanks to cinematographer,
Robert Elswit. The film is shot in black and white
and it works marvellously.One stroke of genius was the choice of using
file footage of Senator McCarthy himself instead of an actor. Powerful
stuff! George Clooney is both director
and co-writer with Grant Heslov (both appear in the
film). It is based on the real life events of the 1950's when Senator
Joseph McCarthy's Communist witch hunts had this country
in a state of paranoia, black listing and naming of names. You were
either with the Jr. Senator from Wisconsin or you were seen as a traitor
and/or a Communist. Lives and reputations were ruined. CBS broadcaster,
Edward R. Murrow wanted to change all that. It was the infancy days of television. Newscasters
and reporters really were writers and researchers not the pretty talking
heads who fill our screens today. It was also the days when the news
departments were not a part of the entertainment division of the networks
(although we can see how Murrow had to compromise with some soft interview
shows in order to get his hard news stories produced. If you care at all about where we have been, who we are, how we got
to the state of broadcast journalism, this is a must-see film. Not only
is it an important film it is very entertaining. Go, you'll feel better
about yourself in the morning. Acting: A brilliant stroke of casting with David
Strathairn as Murrow. He captures his cadence and demeanor
and I felt as if I was actually watching Murrow. I have seen Strathairn
on the subway several times. Let me tell you that he is the type of
guy who gives his seat up to those who need one (and he is darn good
looking in person). George Clooney as Fred Friendly
and Frank Langella as William Paley are top of the
line. The rest of the cast, including Jeff Daniels, Robert Downey,
Jr and Patricia Clarkson are stellar. Predilection: I am a news junkie and am deeply involved
with all things political. Food: No food but lots of booze and tons of cigarettes
(Murrow eventually died of lung cancer).
Soundtrack: A wonderful jazzy track.
Theater Audience: We were in the secret balcony of
my local cineplex. A few others have found this secret balcony. I am
not sure how many were downstairs.
Squirm Scale: I squirmed at how the events of 50
years ago seem very much like the events of today.
Predictability Level: Even thought I knew everything
that was going to happen I still was a bit tense.
Drift Factor: Did not drift for a second.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Absolutely. I think David Strathairn
should get a nod and perhaps a nod for original screenplay.
Soap Box: There is much similarity about the political
tenor of our times compared to the 1950's. But our news media have caved
to the pressures of corporations who own them and the constant fear
of lack of access to the powers that be. There are also many more outlets
now for people to disengage from the public debate then there were fifty
years ago. Murrow's last lines address just this very predicament. He
is probably turning over in his grave (he is buried in Greenwood Cemetery
in Brooklyn).
Big Screen or Rental: Big screen for sure. And for
some TV moments of Murrow's show you can go to the very wonderful Museum
of Television and Radio in NYC or on Los Angeles. Some of David
Strathairn's other films for you to rent are: Missing in
America, Harrison's Flowers, A Map of the World, Limbo, A Midsummer
Night's Dream, Simon Birch, With Friends Like These..,L.A. Confidential,
Mother Night, Dolores Claiborne, Losing Isaiah, The River Wild, The
Firm, Lost in Yonkers, Passion Fish, Sneakers, Bob Roberts, A League
of Their Own, City of Hope, Memphis Belle, Eight Men Out, Dominick and
Eugene, Matewan, At Close Range, Silkwood and Return of the Secaucus
7.
Length: 90 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 9.5
|