The 2005 film "Good Night, and Good Luck" transports viewers to the swanky, smoke filled environment of 1950s journalism. Not only is the atmosphere right with its black-and-white cinematography and the click of typewriters, but the message conveyed is spot-on.
Director George Clooney and Producer Grant Heslov bring to light all the intricacies of ethics in journalism and the power of corrupt corporations on the media. Viewers watch as CBS reporters Edward R. Murrow (David Strathhairn), Joe Wershba (Robert Downey Jr.), Fred Friendly (George Clooney), William Paley (Frank Langella), Shirley Wershba (Patricia Clarkson) and others struggle with making decisions that might jeopardize their careers and the reputation of the CBS corporation—corrupt as it may be. There’s never any doubt that they will pursue the truth no matter the cost. These reporters revolutionized the media of their day through bringing the unfiltered truth to a nation marked by complacency.
Creative Cinematography
Everything about this film stays true to the era its portraying, even the way in which it was filmed. The entire movie is shown in black-and-white which proves to enhance the atmosphere of the film and the feeling of seriousness evoked by the subject matter. The props used to stage each scene look as if they have been transported straight from a ‘50s newsroom—even down to the headpieces and microphones.
The staging of the set, the costuming, the technology and the filming used, all serve the film and distinguish it from others that seek to capture this era.
Moving Dedication to Truth
The reporters in this film are outstanding among their contemporaries in their dedication to the truth. In the face of corporate pressure and accusations of leftist favoring they seek to hold the U.S military accountable for the injustices committed in their communism-paranoid state following the second world war.
Beginning at the opening of the film and concluding at the end, anchorman Murrow gives an eye-opening speech to the Radio and Television News Directors Association, which provides a glimpse into the fear induced complacency that perpetuated in post-war era American society. Murrow says of television and its power as a medium of enlightenment, “this instrument can teach. It can illuminate and, yes, it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it toward those ends. Otherwise, it is merely wires and lights—in a box. Good night and good luck.” This moving speech captures what is at the heart of journalism as it was meant to be and how it can capture people through a variety of mediums. When executed properly, that is.
Making a Statement for Ethics
Ethics in journalism is a topic that is important to everyone in society, whether they care about it or not. The media is held to a standard of truth that outweighs that of other public institutions and it is rightly so. The truthful, unbiased, uninfluenced media is what stands between a free society of the people and a controlled society of the state.
"Good Night, and Good Luck" made such a statement to the effect of media on the masses. This film took a stand against corruption and lies and it did so with class and accuracy. Clooney and Heslov have given moviegoers a taste of a topic that should concern all who value the society in which they live. This film is sure to spark important conversation and healthy skepticism, hopefully leading to citizens who evaluate each news source for accuracy and integrity, holding the media to the high standard on which it was built.
