Always Right Movie Review'dustries

I hadn't even realized that this movie had been released in theaters letalone released to DVD when I walked into blockbuster last night. But there it was, the last copy on the shelf, wiating for me to rent it. It was fate, I tell you!

Good Night, and Good Luck is a historically based movie that focuses on the CBS newsroom, where Edward R. Murrow uses his program, See It Now, to confront Senator Joseph McCarthey. It is known that McCarthy used fear, falsehoods, and belligerence to gain power. He would turn his "Communist Hunt" towards anyone that questioned his methods. Edward Murrow did not backdown. He brought the truth to light and exposed McCarthey for what he was... a bully, a "big brother." At the time, the media was far more willing to keep things quiet... look at the light presidents were portrayed in prior to Richard Nixon. But Edward Murrow (and CBS) didn't hesitate to go after Joseph McCarthy and that makes him one of the greatest journalists ever.

Yahoo Movies shows many As and Bs for this film, but I am going to take the time to attack one particular review:

This film is a revisonist piece of left wing propagand that does nothing to convey the sense of immeninet communist invasion that the country felt at the time. It harps on the alleged excesses of Senator Mcarthy's crusade to root out communist infiltrators and does not acknowledge that the amount of communist sypathizers that actually were fereted out. Not only this, it does not show the chilling effect this campaign had on those that considered joining the reds. In a any fim that purports to be a relatively historical piece it is there duty to be fair nad balanced with the truth. This film is nothing more than a propaganda piece that trys to villfy the memory of a American patriot.

Number of communist sympathisers ferreted out?! An American patriot?! Edward Murrow and the movie, Good Night, and Good Luck, fought to protect civil liberties as much as anything. McCarthy's "witch hunt" spread slander without producing evidence. Sure he claimed to have this list and that list, but hard evidence was not produced. People lost their jobs without facing a trial. All for being communists? As Americans, we have the right to choose our political party. And you have the right to post your opinion. I applaud you for that, but take a look sir or madam at what you really believe in.

I have heard that the timing of this film is perfect. With Bush and his [smeagol accent] precious [/smeagol] Patriot Act, who is going to stand up to the plate? Bloggers? Actually, there are journalists taking a stand against it, but apparently they do not carry enough clout.

Some quotes from the movie can be seen here. Here is one that I enjoyed, Murrow on the subjuect of television:

To those who say people wouldn't look; they wouldn't be interested; they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter's opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. There is a great and perhaps decisive battle to be fought against ignorance, intolerance and indifference. This weapon of television could be useful.

Okay, enough tangent ramblings ;)

This was an excellant film that should be shown in high school history (and maybe even journalism) classes across the nation. George Clooney and Grant Heslov, I applaud you!