Good Night, and Good Luck

If you haven't seen this film yet, it's well worth a watch. It has been one of my more anticipated films recently (the other being Syriana).

Set in 1950's America, the black and white film documents an iconic milestone in American television where CBS journalist Edward R. Murrow (David Strathairn) turns against the norm of television broadcasting ethics and decides to stand up against a fiery Senator Joseph McCarthy, who was out to rid the country of communism, and condemned individuals without fair trial for their political associations and opinions. The resulting few shows of his found Murrow on a personal, patriotic crusade to challenge McCarthy and and rid America of his callous persecution.

Other than the black and white scheme which adds authenticity, Strathairn delivers brilliantly convincing acting. I'm sure readers will be able to relate to this film in many ways, for obvious reasons.

"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 and yes, it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it towards those ends.

Otherwise it is merely wires, and lights, and a box."

- Edward R. Murrow