 |
|
||||
|
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Upcoming Release Calendar
38
12 Rounds Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.
67
$9.99 Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.
|
Good Night, and Good Luck
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
||||||||||||
MPAA RATING: PG for mild thematic elements and brief language
Starring David Strathairn, George Clooney, Robert Downey Jr., Patricia Clarkson, Frank Langella, Jeff Daniels, Ray Wise, and Reed Diamond
Good Night, and Good Luck chronicles that real-life conflict between esteemed television newsman Edward R. Murrow (Strathairn) and Senator Joseph McCarthy. (Warner Independent Pictures)
| GENRE(S): | Drama |
| WRITTEN BY: |
George Clooney
Grant Heslov |
| DIRECTED BY: | George Clooney |
| RELEASE DATE: |
DVD: March 14, 2006 Theatrical: October 7, 2005 |
| RUNNING TIME: | 93 minutes, B/W |
| ORIGIN: | USA |
Received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Lead Actor (Strathairn) and Director (Clooney). Received four Golden Globe nominations, including Best Picture (Drama). Golden Osella (Best Screenplay), Volpi Cup (Best Actor - Strathairn), Pasinetti Award (Best Film) and FIPRESCI Prize, 2005 Venice Film Festival
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
The average user rating for this movie is 7.4 (out of 10) based on 108 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Dick s gave it a10:
Every citizen should see it before they ever vote again. The Bush administration would not have happened if top journalists were as brave as Murrow and his associates.
Cassian J gave it an8:
This is a class movie by a class director full of great subtle performances by the whole cast. Clooney directs and fills a supporting role in this movie based around the media’s response to the McCarthy enquiry. David Strathairn is fantastic in the lead role of television journalist Ed Murrow who leads a one man campaign to show the public the injustice’s of Senator Joe McCarthy. He stands when many would fall withstanding pressures from the network and it’s associated coporations. This is a message that Clooney knows is still completely relevant today (if not more so, if you consider the American television coverage of Iraq). The film is shot in black and white given it a lovely noir type atmosphere, you can almost smell the smoked filled rooms that broadcasters habit. The films is well shot with some real nice stylistic shots that must have leant a sly smile to Sodenberg. These is a slow movie at it certainly helps if you are a fan of Clooney or have an interest in politics and like Clooney lean to the left (which are all plusses for me), but there is also a superb supporting cast who all give fine performances including Robert Downey Jnr (being remarkably restrained) , Clooney himself, Jeff Bridges and Patricia Clarkson matching the boys with the only substantial female role. I will certainly be watching this movie again and I recommend you give it a chance.
cara s gave it a10:
This movie is a fantastic portrayal of the behind-the-scenes view of the courage of Ed Murrow and the media's role in such a crucial time period. This is by all means my favorite movie of all time. I am seventeen years old, so it is hard to find people who write movies that actually have relevence or some substance today. Ed Murrow's actual words were used in this movie, which I am thrilled about, and also the real footage of the McCarthy hearings are also fantastic. This movie is so close to looking at the real thing it gives me chills. Thank you to all the wonderful people who made this movie.
Riren gave it an8:
Unlike some Best Picture nominees at the Academy, Good Night and Good Luck features some actual characters and a plot that isn't forced forward. It benefits from its plot progression being part of history instead of fiction, but still - even as a black and white film in the era of color - is a more genuine piece of film making than you would find in theatres that year. It's weakest points are its grimness and unrelenting moral stance, which inhibit it from exploring or debating these positions. In that sense, it is as much a black and white picture as it is a black and white story. Still, it earns what it makes of itself, and its contemporary political overtones are for the most part subdued enough to be something that could remain worthwhile viewing decades from now.
Shannon P. gave it a3:
Way over-rated. This film presupposes that you know details about McCarthy and Murrow, and that you agree the former was pure evil and the latter a saint. It then invites you to wallow in the resulting pious sentiments. McCarthy may well have been a bad man and Murrow a good one, but this movie lacks the context necessary to show why. It's not so much a story as a self-indulgent exercise in political correctness.
Andrew H. gave it a10:
One of the best films of the year. And my personal pick for Best Picture
Chris R. gave it an8:
This is a tight little gem of a flick, which seems to go out of its way to simply portray the story and reveal the intense hubris and zeal of the real main character (Sen. McCarthy), and the role that the newly canonized media/soma machine known as television played in his misguided crusade. The jazz soundtrack and seemingly tacked-on hidden marriage between Downey and Clarkson serve to subtly illuminate the cultural context of the time period, providing flavor if not real substance. Strathairn's performance is stellar; both subtle and powerful; possibly the best character acting work seen in a long time. Clooney's work is also subtle, but more everyman; he consciously takes on a supporting role which does not shine outright, as if to concentrate the focus on the story itself, and not so much on the supporting cast. Oscar worthy? Not so much, but at least worth admiration, considering his devotion to getting this flick made. The picture shines in its minor, seemingly unobtrusive details; the pen-tap on the leg signaling Murrow that he's live; Murrow watching another television feed while in the midst of conducting an interview, the ever-burning cigarettes (and silly ads to boot) so en-vogue, and the intense, "way-it's-done" shuffling of film canisters and on-the-fly splicing of interview with live overdubs that defined the television news experience long before magnetic video tape was ever used. A slice-of-life journalism piece which never sways from its own crusade or purpose, much like the men and women who did what was right because it was simply their job, and calling, to do so. Refereshing, given today's media glut. All-in-all, well worth watching.
 |
Return to top of page |  |
