GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK. (2006)
“I’ve.....got..... my eyes on you...”
Set in the era of McCarthyism, it’s all about McCarthy v Murrow.
The hunt for Communists v Innocent till proven guilty.
I saw this black and white movie George Clooney starred in. And I thought, “Hmm. Different.” And then I saw it. And I heard the music.
And I was hooked.
The fact that in the 1950s, society allowed someone with a title to run around and terrorise members of the public - some of whom probably did have Communist links (which itself ISN’T a crime!), but some who were completely innocent - reminds me of current times... Where the people who society allows to hold sway (the Donald Trumps of this world) get to determine what the leading opinion of the day is. We see it occur over and over again, simply with a different generation each time...
Here we see Communism being used as the stick to beat people with... and the worst thing? Once you’ve been named or associated, it was decades before the stigma left your name... In Hollywood, the careers of actors, actresses, screenwriters, producers... all put indefinitely on hold or simply erased, terminated altogether with the slightest rumour of being ‘a Red’...
The hero before us, Ed Murrow, knowing that he’ll be attacked for his views, still puts himself out there as a target, to make sure there was at least one voice challenging McCarthy... And in the end, all are grateful for his solitary voice, and he is left with the consequences of his bravery - cuts to his airtime.
But the most important thing was this: censorship was fought, and freedom of speech was upheld and defended.
So! Here are my 7 Key Moments from Good Night, and Good Luck.:
Dianne Reeves, a.k.a the Lounge Singer. She sets the tone and the era so simply. With class. I now want to buy her albums.
When Murrow is asked to check the backgrounds of his staff members. Right there, McCarthy is winning already.
Poor Don Hollenbeck’s endorsement feels... feeble. Which is so unfortunate.
And then Hollenbeck gets attacked in print by a McCarthy-supporting columnist. It creates that moment where a situation doesn’t seem critical or important, but only because it’s not happening to you...
Annie May Moss’s cross examination, and McCarthy’s obvious failure in nabbing a ‘Commie’ spy. He well and truly scores an own goal. On camera. In front of a ROOMFUL of people.
The news that McCarthy was to be investigated by the Senate for his conduct. Followed by the news of Don Hollenbeck’s suicide. The great high followed by the impossible low.
The speech Murrow began the film with is ended. His acidic words regarding the television industry resonates because of everything we have just seen. And still see today.
A cool, calm, and collected film from George Clooney here, taking me back to an era of American history and broadcasting I didn’t know very well. An era of fear, but one with a suitable hero.
Even if a cigarette is elegantly perched between two of his fingers.
More soon!
(Comment here or on Twitter - @hmswilliams04)
"Goodnight poster" by Source. Licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Goodnight_poster.jpg#/media/File:Goodnight_poster.jpg