Watch Good Night, and Good Luck.
- PG
- 2005
- 1 hr 33 min
-
7.4 (101,111)
In 1953, during the height of the Red Scare and Joseph McCarthy's crusade to root out supposed communists in America, the CBS news program "See It Now," hosted by respected journalist Edward R. Murrow (David Strathairn), takes on McCarthy and his tactics. Along with his producer, Fred Friendly (George Clooney), Murrow begins a series of broadcasts investigating McCarthy's tactics and calling him out for his fear-mongering and unsubstantiated claims.
Despite pushback from their sponsors and network executives, Murrow and Friendly persist in their reporting, with Murrow delivering a powerful on-air editorial that famously states, "We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home." The broadcasts catch the attention of the American public and help to turn the tide against McCarthy, who soon faces censure in the Senate.
Throughout the film, we see the personal and professional struggles of Murrow and Friendly, along with the other members of their team, including William Paley (Frank Langella), the president of CBS. We also see the impact of the broadcasts on McCarthy and his supporters, as well as the larger political and social climate of the time.
The film is shot in black and white and uses archival footage from the era to give a sense of both the historical context and the importance of the events depicted. The performances are strong across the board, with David Strathairn giving a standout performance as Murrow, and George Clooney lending his star power to the supporting role of Friendly.
At its core, "Good Night, and Good Luck." is a compelling exploration of the role of the media in holding those in power accountable and the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of opposition. The film serves as both a tribute to the legacy of Edward R. Murrow and a warning against the dangers of propaganda and the erosion of civil liberties.
Overall, "Good Night, and Good Luck." is a well-crafted and thought-provoking film that offers a glimpse into a pivotal moment in American history and the journalists who helped to shape it.
Good Night, and Good Luck. is a 2005 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 80.