Brandon reviews Good Night and Good Luck

Good Night and Good Luck
I've always thought that it would be a good idea to make a film about the infamous Wisconsin senator Joseph McCarthy. Considering the current social and political status of our country with the war, the various scandals, the FEMA meltdown, and the Patriot Act it couldn't have a come at a more pivotal time. George Clooney answers his critically acclaimed and fast paced Confessions of a Dangerous Mind with this slow paced, discerning film and it's considerably better. The movie follows Edward Murrow, a veteran CBS correspondent as he decided to take his crucial and controversial stand against the dangerous senator and his cronies. Murrows is played perfectly by the underrated David Strathairn who will most likely be remembered come award season. The film boasts a top notch cast from the familiar faces of Clooney, Robert Downey Jr, Patricia Clarkson, Jeff Daniels and Frank Langella as well as a less recognizable Ray Wise as Don Hollenback. Good Luck's slow pace is complimented by the film's jazzy soundtrack performed by Dianne Reeves. But the most compelling material is the actual clips of McCarthy. The movie also interlocks different dramatic elements to keep our attention including a hidden marriage, a tragic suicide and the friendship between Murrows and Clooney's character Fred Friendly. Those relationships and situations are brilliantly placed beneath the film's climactic battle between the senator and the veteran reporter. It's refreshing to see Murrow fearlessly challenge someone as powerful as McCarthy. He stood on his convictions knowing that the situation would expose his "faults" and possibly end his career sooner than he might have planned. I'm sure some will write this film off as boring and opinionated but for those of us who care enough to stay informed will see that it's an inspirational film that should be taken seriously. It is certainly one of my favorites films this year, regardless of how many times I've already said that this year.
A