Film Review: Good Night, and Good Luck (2005) B+

Date Viewed: 5/25/06
Venue: DVD

Good Night, and Good Luck is George Clooney’s weighty, serious-minded period piece based on television journalist Edward Murrow’s televised crusade against Senator Joe McCarthy. The film is brimming with social commentary that is just as relevant in 2006 as it was in 1950. Beautifully filmed in stunning black and white and blessed with fine performances all around, it’s an important film with a lot to say.

The film focuses on Edward Murrow (David Strathairn) and his news production crew (headed by Clooney) at CBS as they go to great lengths to expose the ridiculousness and potential criminality of McCarthy’s Communist witch-hunt. While most of the characters here are mere sketches, director Clooney deftly makes them important to us by clearly portraying the dangers of being labeled of Commie. It wouldn’t be accurate to say the stakes are played out to be overwhelmingly high, but the conviction of the script and its characters sell the importance of their cause.

It would be a mistake to say that Good Night, and Good Luck is an enthralling piece of popcorn entertainment. There is a lot of talking in this film. A lot of talking. The ninety-three minute running time feels closer to a full two hours. It’s ideas on not just about government persecution, but also about the cancerous role of advertising in television, are important and nobles ones, expressed with dignity, clarity, and intelligence. What makes a film great is a seamless blend of intelligence, ideas, and an engaging, entertaining story. Good Night and Good Luck delivers the first two elements in spades, but just can't muster up greatness.