Feb. 17, 2006

‘Good Night, Good Luck’: Good Movie

By PHILIP LeMASTER and JEREMY KOPP
pcl001@marietta.edu and koppj@marietta.edu

Philip: 'Good Night, and Good Luck' revolves around CBS broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow in his quest to take down Senator Joseph McCarthy during his fanatical Communist search in the 1950's. Murrow, played by David Strathairn, provokes the government and the American people in an effort to expose the injustices of McCarthy's actions. Oscar nominee George Clooney writes, directs, and stars in the film, but the picture is completely owned by Stathairn. Bringing a determined but fearful nuance to his character, Strathairn envelops himself in Murrow's character.

The film succeeds not only in its acting, but also in its accuracy and faithfulness to the era. The black and white color palette alludes to a time when everything was indeed black or white, everyone either Communist or loyal American.

Recently re-released after its six Academy Award nominations, 'Good Night, and Good Luck' certainly ranks as one of the best of the year. Although it won't win Best Picture ('Brokeback Mountain' is a sure win), it stands as a worthy contender. However, 'Brokeback' and 'Good Night' have both showed us the strength of the media: the former with its media-driven controversy and the latter with its portrayal of the media's power over the government. Go see this before Oscar night; it won't go home empty-handed.

Jeremy: Mike McNamara, rejoice! 'Good Night, and Good Luck' made it to Parkersburg.

Unfortunately, the Regal Grand 12 screened a single showing per night last weekend - no doubt to make way for “high art” like 'Final Destination 3' - but you'd be surprised at how a film that is strictly about politics and the news business could be just as exciting as watching an unsuspecting teen burn to death in a tanning booth.

If you've heard anything about this film, you've probably heard about Strathairn's Oscar-nominated performance. The footage I've seen of Murrow compared to what I've watched Strathairn do is uncanny; note his subtle wit, his stern, focused and unrelenting stature trademarked with a cigarette, and the way his eyes remain focused to the side beneath a furrowed brow. Murrow was reserved, though his determination was fierce. He and his producer, Fred Friendly (Clooney) were close as professionals and as friends, and were willing to risk character defamation at the hands of McCarthy, who at one point claimed Murrow was a member of (surprise!) a Communist organization.

McCarthy is the film's other big star. Among many brilliant decisions Clooney made as director -including filming in black and white so as to capture the period - was to let McCarthy play himself. Inserting actual news footage of McCarthy to interact with Strathairn's Murrow is not only fascinating, but it clearly illustrates just how pathetic the senator was, particularly during his meltdown at the Army-McCarthy hearings.

If I have any complaint, it's that some historical background regarding the era would have been helpful. Though the subplot involving the McCarthy-like politics behind CBS News' Joe and Shirley Weshba's (Robert Downey, Jr. and Patricia Clarkson) secret marriage was easy to interpret, I had a hard time understanding Don Hollenbeck's (Ray Wise) tragic inability to fend off the critics.

I feel that Clooney, whose father was a newscaster, has a firm understanding of the news business, and has made a powerful film with a clear message against character defamation and how we can utilize the media for our own good. If I had my way, this film would be receiving the Academy's Best Picture pick on March 5, but it's looking as if 'Brokeback' may have the good night, unless Clooney's crew has very good luck.