Movie Review Good Night and Good Luck

I know its late at night and I should probably be in bed. When I went to the video store the other night, I went by myself allowing me to get 3 movies on MVP without having anyone else question my picks. Given that opportunity, I thought of shows that I wanted to see and, as a result, am quite happy with my picks. The first being Fahrenheit 451 previously reviewed and tonights show, Good Night and Good Luck.

Good Night and Good Luck is a show about the famed McCarthy hearings of the 1950's and Edward R. Murrow, the reporter that put a stop to it. Written and directed by George Clooney (who also stars as Fred Friendly), this show is a dramatization of the events that unfolded in the early 1950's during what has been refered to as "McCarthyism".

After World War II, things have settled down at home but a new fear starts to dominate society, that of the communists and their "take over" of America. Once allied with communists, the US now, at the beginning of the Cold War, watches their neighbors with a watchful eye and suspision. Senetor Joseph McCarthy plays on those fears and creates a panic reminiscent of the Salem Witch Trials where only an accusation becomes good enough to condemn a person to the fate of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Edward R. Murrow takes a stance, not questioning whether the individuals are, in fact, communists, but instead questions the antics and procedures being used to accuse and condemn these individuals.

This film captures the fear of the time created by this junior senator from Wisconsin and the boldness of Edward Murrow, Fred Friendly, and the reporters helping to support this weekly broadcast and expose the illigitimate accusations. Filmed in black and white, it gives it an air of authenticity. Senator Joseph McCarthy is played by none other than himself as film footage of the hearings, Senator McCarthy's broadcasts, and other CBS broadcasts of the times help to give additional authenticity to this film.

I, myself, am somewhat of a history fan. I enjoy seeing or reading things that happened within the past. This film helped to shed some light on the problems of the times. While this film has very little special effects, I would not recommend the theatre for this one but would in fact state that this would definately be worth renting. This is a show to watch when the kids are in bed and quiet so attenion can be paid to the dialogs and reproduction of the broadcasts. History buffs will want this one for their collection. While the broadcasts themselves are authentic, the rest may be from the mind of the writer but is very respectful and well presented.

One thing, as you know I love controversy, is to pay attention to the speech given by Murrow at the beginning and the end of the show. Think to what television is today and how prophetic his words really are as to the direction of television. In its infancy, television had so much potential and while some is retained, a lot has been forsaken for the power to entertain vs the power to educate. Even the education has an air of entertain that sometimes, most of the time, overshadows the educational benefits of this medium.