Movie Review: Good Night, and Good Luck
14th of September, 2009
·“Good Night, and Good Luck,” the 2005 film directed by George Clooney, is a terrifying reminder that political power does not always end up in the hands of the just, and its abuse can be devastating.
Clooney’s docudrama chronicles the battle between network news TV station CBS and Senator Joseph McCarthy.
This movie is an unmitigated success. Great story? Check. Excellent cinematography? Check. Fantastic acting? Check. Splendid sets? Check. Unique use of archival footage of McCarthy engaging in his over the top shenanigans? Check again. The film achieves every last bit of what it set out to do. As a commentary on modern American politics, McCarthy is an excellent vehicle: simply replace, “communism,” with, “terrorism,” and replace a well-spoken if dead-wrong senator with a certain Texan president, and you’re left with a really distressing sense that truth is stranger than fiction, and maybe we should have learned something.
“Good Night, and Good Luck,” transports the audience to a horrible time in the 1950s when people lost jobs and lives were ruined by nothing more substantial than a rumor.
Shot in beautiful black and white, and with a gorgeous soundtrack, the film is stylish without being distracting, and it’s got a message that too many of us have misinterpreted over the past few years: never forget.
★★★★★ – Five stars because it was great, and I can think of nothing that might have made it better.
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Good Night and Good Luck on NetFlix (DVD, Blue-Ray, and Streaming) and Amazon.
You know, I was right with you right up until the end. Way to let your personal bias rule your post man. Oh, I suppose we could cross apply your approach though. Replace “communism” or “terrorism” with “health care reform” and replace the uber-extreme Senator or previous President with the current President.
Sorry, did I catch on to your formula?
Creig’s Website ≠ Unbiased news source. I am biased and so’s my site. Hooray!
Osrik, that’s why it’s called “Creig’s Website” and not “Fox News” or “Osrik the Invader’s website”. Aren’t you lucky you are able to post your opinions someplace anonymously though?
Mr. Invader doesn’t like our President. Funny!
Sorry, I thought he was trying to cover a movie. Maybe I got thrown by the overriding theme it picked up. And no, I don’t expect everyone’s site to be unbiased, but lets have a little common sense in the practice.
And I’m one of the few people you’ll never meet who is still undecided on the current President.
Sometimes indecision becomes a decision. Come down from the fence, Osrik the Invader, and join us in our quest to make this country a good one for our kids to grow up in.
Riiiight, because blindly deciding on something is better than empirical evidence.
Well, ok then. If you are still blind, then indecision is probably the best option for you. Good luck! Just remember, if you chose to continue posting with us, we’re all here to enjoy Creig (since it’s his website) and (most of the time) each other.
Another thing to remember is the movie was made in 2005. Borrowed from the Wikipedia: “In September 2005, Clooney explained his interest in the story to an audience at the New York Film Festival: ‘I thought it was a good time to raise the idea of using fear to stifle political debate.’”
As you can see, my comparison to Bush was not just conjecture on my part. It was also on the mind of the writer and director.
Lastly, I welcome everybody and anybody to comment on whatever I have to say whenever I say it. I use my full name because I believe in transparency and accountability. Simply SAYING that you’re open minded does not MAKE you open minded. In my case, there’s an archive nearly fifteen years old to prove my words true. Osrik the Invader, you don’t have that, but you DO have a silly name.
It’s worth bearing this in mind when offering a dissenting view. It’ll help you not come across as a 17 year old jackass. If you’re NOT 17 years old, you should be worried that you come across as one.
Awwww…I remember when you were a 17 year old jackass. You were so cute! (I pinch your little cheek!)
I agree with Momamamamam. You were a cute one.