.: Roberts' Reviews - Movie Reviews :.

Brilliant.

Every year there comes a film that captures the experiences of an era and exposes us to the importance of sometimes long forgotten historical figures. If done properly, these films are destined to be shown in classrooms and lecture halls across the country reminding those who lived in the time of the significance of the actions while enlightening a new generation of the groundbreakers that proceeded them.

The importance of these films goes far beyond Hollywood's glitz and glimmer. They become a historical record of events that is preserved on celluloid and DVD as a tribute to our heroes or as a recognition of a time that should not be dismissed.

Good Night, and Good Luck is one of these films. Directed by George Clooney (Confessions of a Dangerous Mind) Good Night, and Good Luck tells the fascinating story of broadcast journalist Edward Murrow (David Strathairn) and his legendary on air feud with Senator Joseph McCarthy during the Red Scare of the 1950's.

Shot entirely in black and white, the film captures the essence and spirit of the 1950's, where everyone spoke proper, dressed in suits and ties and smoked more than a thanksgiving ham. It was a different time, one that may even look alien to younger viewers. It was the dawn of television and the importance of the medium would not be fully accepted or appreciated until decades later.

Good Night, and Good Luck follows CBS newsman Murrow through his half hour news program that sways from its non-partisan position on issues and takes a firm stand against McCarthy's witch hunt for communists throughout American society. It was a bold move for a media outlet that that was in its infancy and had less than a handful of national stations for viewers to choose.

But the magnitude of their stance and attack on the freedoms and constitutional rights of those who can be accused and convicted of communist connections without any proof being presented in a court of opinion was no less than a modern day David and Goliath story.

The significance is not lost on Clooney - who also acted and co-wrote the screenplay. As only a second time director, he meticulously weaves his way through a complicated experience without preaching a political stance of his own. His greater achievement however was in the casting of David Strathairn as Murrow. Strathairn gives this years best performance and captures Murrow in his drawl commentary and poignant use of the English language that would have most 12 graders running for their Websters to try and decode.

Special note also to the supporting cast that included Robert Downey Jr, Patricia Clarkson and Jeff Daniels. Each were used sparingly, but enough to keep the story and the focus of the investigation on a straight path. Downey and Clarkson were particularly fascinating as two CBS employees who hid their marriage from executives as to comply with the policy that no two co-workers could be spouses and maintain their employment. As a subtle commentary, Clooney is able to use their story as an example of how censorship whether in the McCarthy eyes or in the scope of the television division at CBS was a national epidemic that luckily the American people corrected through various revolutions throughout the late 50's and 60's.

Good Night, and Good Luck will not find a large audience. It has too much against it. It is in black and white, it has historical relevance and it contains no sex, violence or pop star musical scores. What it does have is an exceptional cast and a leading performance that stands with Phillip Seymour Hoffman's Capote as the two frontrunners for the golden statue to be handed out next year.

Good Night, and Good Luck was the sign-off calling card for Murrow as he ended each show. It is a tagline that was sincere from Murrow as an American patriot, a trailblazer and a fellow citizen who saw the country on a path of self destruction and wished us the best of luck in an attempt to realize the importance of each of our individual freedoms.