Brief
reflections on themes and characters in
“Good
Night, and Good Luck” (2005)
Directed
by George Clooney
Written
by Grant Heslov and George Clooney
Starring
David Strathairn, George Clooney, Robert Downey Jr.,
Patricia Clarkson, Frank Langella et al.
Our film touches on themes
such as friendship, relationships in the 1950s workplace, pressures (financial
and political) involved in operating a television channel, the potential
effects of maintained criticism based on vindictive character assassination
rather than reasoned disagreement, and the place of television as a tool for
informing the watching public and even inspiring it to think, rather than
simply produce bland entertainment. However, at its core, this is the story of
the discord between respected TV journalist and presenter Ed Murrow and Senator
Joseph McCarthy who led the infamous House Un-American Activities Committee in
the 1950s.
Ed Murrow and his small
team of journalists present fact-based, coherent programmes of compassionate
integrity that investigate and challenge topics of social and political
interest.
In one broadcast, they
challenge the precision, veracity and methods of Senator McCarthy who responds
by levelling various defamatory accusations at Murrow rather than respond to
the points made in the offending programme. Murrow is able to refute each point
made by McCarthy and in so doing reveals and highlights McCarthy’s tactic of
using lies, insinuation and baseless accusations, offering no proof or evidence
to support his assertions, as he depends on the creation of anxiety and fear,
and appeals to a sense of national pride in order to gain political influence.
With heartfelt,
convincing performances and carefully constructed script and direction, George
Clooney delivers an intelligent plea for integrity, principle and standards in
public life and politics. As I write this, I hear Mr Clooney has adapted his
film for a theatrical run on Broadway. Perhaps he feels the themes and purpose
of his film remain as relevant now as they were in the 1950s…
My thanks for taking the
time to read this article. I hope you found it of some value.
Stuart Fernie (stuartfernie@yahoo.co.uk)
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