This year at the IFFR there was a special subprogram dedicated to the biopic. The festival’s official closing title was George Clooney’s second film as a director: Good Night, and Good Luck. Clooney’s first effort, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind was a somewhat unbalanced , yet vaguely intriguing film. It seems to be a trend, actors who tart as directors seem to shift between styles in order to deliver a film that, for all, is interesting to watch. Very often they forget to tell the story right. That being my main concern with Clooney’s directing debut, Good Night, and Good Luck. is free from artistic mumbo jumbo and is a very realistic take on the hectic relationship between a news reporter and a politician.

Good Night, and Good Luck. (with the comma and the full stop) takes place in the early 50’s when communism was considered the most dangerous threat for the US. Senator for Wisconsin, Josephn McCarthy has made it his personal crusade to hunt down all communists and put them behind bars. When McCarthy start to accuse seemingly innocent people to be communist spies even within the White House, CBS new reporter Edward R. Murrow (Oscar nominee David Strathairn) is under the conviction McCarthy is only inducing fear and starts fighting back. Their actions towards each other start to become increasingly personal.

Shot in atmospheric black and white, Good Night, and Good Luck. is an historically correct take on the clash between two titans. What makes this film even more relevant towards the current Bush administration, is McCarthy’s indirect statement that whoever isn’t with him is against him (does that ring a bell)? Mainly dialogue based, Good Night, and Good Luck. is a brave attempt to indirectly comment on recent political events. The film is flawlessly acted by Straithairn, Robert Downey Jr., Ray Wise, Jeff Daniels and Clooney himself and the directing is modest, which suits the story best. The film received six Oscar nominations, including best director and best film.

Directed by: George Clooney
Starring: David Strathairn, Robery Downey Jr., Ray Wise, Jeff Daniels, George Clooney
Runtime: 93’
Release Dates: Us: 14 October, UK: 17 February 2006, The Netherlands: 23 February 2006
Official Website