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It’s rare that I actually have to be serious in a movie review or, indeed, whenever I write something for this web site. But that is definitely the case with Good Night and Good Luck. This movie, which stars Hot Bad Guy Robert Downey, Jr., is easily one of the best movies I saw in 2005.
Here’s the short story: Edward R. Murrow (played by David Strathairn) decided to use his well-regarded television show to report the truth about Senator Joe McCarthy, who at that time headed a series of committees investigating communism in the U.S. That show resulted in a backlash against McCarthy and his methods and eventually led to his censure by the Senate, however it was aired at great personal cost to both Murrow and his producer, Fred Friendly (played by George Clooney).
The movie itself is incredible, using actual clips of Senator McCarthy and filmed in black and white. Not only does it discuss the role of the press in the past, but it also makes some fascinating conclusions about the role of the media now and its responsibility to report the truth. It’s an absolute must see.
no one, really
Joe McCarthy, I suppose
