“We all editorialize.” That was the reply that David Strathairn, as reporter Edward R. Murrow argued during a discussion when Sig Mickelson, a member of the CBS management (played by Jeff Daniels) accused Murrow of editorializing a potential news story in “Good Night, and Good Luck.” And after watching this film, I can’t help but think that that phrase applies to George Clooney as well. He gave us a wonderfully crafted film that showcased a period of the not too distant past. But he also seemed to be arguing quite vociferously about the current administration with this film and likening them to McCarthy. And quite possibly they are. I’m no fan of our current president and his administration, and while I may agree with Clooney’s argument (if indeed it was meant as a parable about today’s leadership), I don’t agree with being beaten over the head with the message. (Granted, some of that may have had to do with the flyer that came with my DVD which pertained to “taking action”.)
Now not all editorializing is bad. This was clearly demonstrated when it came to the death of fellow newscaster Don Hollenbeck (who was played in an earnest and subtle way by Ray Wise). His death was ruled as a suicide (and in fact, you could see the signs that he was growing more and more desperate as the film went on). But when Murrow reported the news of his friend’s passing, he merely stated the facts of the case and spoke highly of Hollenbeck’s body of work. To me, that showed real integrity. Giving his friend a dignified (albeit brief) obituary on the air.
Anyway, I’m getting off my soapbox. Moving on with the review…
I loved this film. Especially the way it looked. Using black and white film to capture it was pure genius. It added so much to the feeling that this was a film that was set in the 1950’s. That coupled with the blues music and the numerous cigarettes that people smoked (after all this was before the Surgeon General ruled that smoking was bad for you) gave it such an authentic feel. And using the classic newsreels was brilliant.
Everyone in the cast did a bang-up job. Especially David Strathairn. The man was truly robbed at the Academy Awards. He portrayed Murrow with a steely, yet dignified defiance at what was happening to his fellow Americans. He made you like him immediately. He wasn’t trying to be everybody’s friend. He was just a newsman doing his job to keep people informed. And he did get stung for his actions. But he made you want to fight along side him. Just by the fact that he took a stand in that climate of fear.
Another enjoyable element of the film was the rare (but well-timed) use of humor. There were several small comedic moments, but my favorite had to be Murrow’s and Fred Friendly’s (George Clooney) comments at the end of the film concerning the relationship between Joe (Robert Downey, Jr.) and Shirley (Patricia Clarkson). It was minute, but it worked. The humor also helped to offset the serious nature of the time period just enough make you realize that it wasn’t completely bleak and depressing.
Overall, the film is excellent. It shows Murrow and Friendly taking a stand against a difficult enemy and the toll it took on them. And not once, was there a single punch thrown. Not once was there any kind of explosion coupled with a massive fireball as people were sent flying. There was no need for any of that. This was a film about fear and terror and what a few individuals did to fight it. I applaud Clooney and Co. for making this film, but I just wonder if they couldn’t have been a little less blatant about getting the message across.
