Good Night And Good Luck

I could not have asked for a better movie for my 100th review!!! Here is one that missed out in all 6 categories that it was nominated in. In Art Direction and Cinematography, it lost out to Memoirs of a Geisha. In Direction to Ang Lee for Brokeback Mountain. Original Screenplay and Best Movie to Paul Haggis’ Crash. Latly, David Strathairn was pitted against Terence Howard (Hustle and Flow), Heath Ledger (Brokeback Mountain), Joaquim Phoenix (Walk the Line) and the eventual winner Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote). In all of the above, one really cannot find fault with the jury. Its like being caught between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea – in a positive manner though. So I guess, they took the easy way out and gave George Clooney the award for the Best Supporting Actor for Syrianna as a way to make up for the losses that he had for Good Night and Good Luck (GNAGL).

Edward R Murrow (David Strathairn) is an extremely focused journalist. He not only believes in but also practices the simple fundamental concept of journalism – Report the Truth. And in the process, he spares no effort in getting the truth out and fighting for the cause of reporting it. He has an agreement with William Paley (Frank Langella), they be all and the do all @ Columbia Broadcasting Services (CBS) that corporate will not interfere with editorial – come what may. He has managed to get his way to date but then his team stumbles upon an opportunity to really take the system on.

Junior Senator Joseph McCarthy (himself through footage) has taken it upon himself to wipe the country clean of communism. And to do that, he would go to great lengths to ensure that people with even the remotest inclination or association with communist meetings or labour unions would be grilled to the core and even sentenced if required. Anyone who so much as dares to speak against McCarthy’s views would be prosecuted. And therefore no one does. Not if Murrow has his way. Murrow and his team led by producer Fred Friendly (George Clooney) take up the seemingly suicidal task of showing McCarthy his place in the real world.

My first memories of David Strathairn was in the 1992 movie Sneakers in the role of the blind Irwin ‘Whistler’ Emery. And the second time I remember seeing an extremely sincere performance from Strathairn was in a movie that I reviewed earlier called We Are Marshall in the endearing role of President Dedmond. But then there are roles which people are remembered by. Roles which prompt people to say – “hey isn’t that “XYZ” from “ABC”. What a brilliant performance right”!!! Edward Murrow’s role does just that one for Strathairn. It is going to remembered for a really long time to come for most people. Strathairn is ably supported by the ever cool George Clooney who has also come on tops in his second directorial venture. Needless to say, it will not be his last. Superb performances by the rest of the cast i.e. the ageless Patricia Clarkson, the amazing Frank Langella and the ever sure Robert Downey Jr. make GNAGL a delectable treat for the avid movie goer or otherwise. That it has been shot in Black & White only adds to the charisma of the entire movie. 8.5 on 10 easily. Must Must Must watch if you haven’t.