This movie is modest. A modest little indie movie that (strangely enough) has a very thrilling air at times. It tells the story of legendary CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow's (David Strathairn) battle against commie-hunting Sen. Joseph McCarthey (Joesph McCarthey).
Everything about the movie is good. The acting from every member of the cast (ranging from a forlorn looking Jeff Daniels to a very sober looking Robert Downey Jr.) is very good. The only standout possibly being David Strathairn as the big man himself: Ed Murrow. He acts as if the world's wieght is on his shoulders and he can barely live with the knowledge, so he lives with nothing else. There are a lot of cigarettes smoked during this movie. A movie, that at 1 hr. 30 min., feels too long.
Many times writer-director George Clooney takes time out of his thrilling movie to show us just how jazzy the 50's were. Showing us exactly 4 different jazz numbers (done excelently) and 2 very ironic black-and-white commercials (1 is about the joy of smoking, seriously). This is all great but it doesn't really serve a purpose and the overt reverence is tiresome eventually. Luckily the length does benefit something, the script. The writing is clever and witty and showcases some very intelligent ideals from everyone's favorite TV doctor. The problem is these ideals aren't groundbreaking and in the end seem to fall alittle short.
The brilliant thing about this movie is it's dazzling black/white cinematogrophy. The camera moves in and out in subtle dramatic fashion making you feel as if your being lead around a wonderful time-capsule. You won't feel upset at having spent close to 7.00 to see this movie (compared to how you felt after wasting your cold hard cash on Bewitched), but you might be alittle upset at all it's award-nominations. Which, in the words of Ed. Murrow, are "outrageaous".
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