1.20.2011

good night and good luck


the year: 2005

the genre: drama


the cast: Jeff Daniels (Sig Mickelson); David Strathairn (Edward R. Murrow); Patricia Clarkson (Shirley Wershba); Robert Downey, Jr. (Joe Wershuba); George Clooney (Fred Friendly)


the plot: In the early 1950's, CBS reporter Edward R. Murrow and his producer Fred W. Friendly decided to take a stand and challenge Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin as he exploited the paranoia of Communism in the United States.



don't miss: the music. The plot is fantastic, but the music really adds to the movie. The band playing throughout the movie is Matt Catingub's band. Matt Catingub produced Rosemary Clooney's last album and George Clooney (her nephew) was so impressed, he personally asked Matt to do the music for this film.



listen for: "What'd the general have to say?" "It was a colonel. Two of them." "That makes a general."



did you know: The filmmakers decided not to cast anyone as McCarthy because anyone "playing McCarthy" would seem like they were overacting, even if they were simply mirroring McCarthy's mannerisms. The role was never cast to begin with as a result. Interestingly, Clooney also said this was the prime reason the film was in black and white -- to match the black and white footage of McCarthy.


extra bonus points: if you know the significance of the film title.

1 comment:

Erika said...

Wasn't that how Morrow closed all his shows?