Good Night, and Good Luck.

Is there really any such thing as unbiased reporting? Do reporters really take all facts into consideration - or do they choose to neglect some and to take facts that will support their case? Are they selective on the images they screen on the television? Good Night, and Good Luck has this underlying theme throughout, and it makes for a compelling argument.

In this movie, directed by George Clooney, it aims to explore the television series done by Edward Murrow (played masterfully by David Strathairn), in which he criticises and reports about the true nature of Senator Joseph McCarthy during the 'Communist Witch Hunt' in the 50s. Murrow, as hard as he tries to only report only the news, he finds himself defending himself as Senator McCarthy begins a series of character attacks on Murrow.

There is so much to discuss about in this movie, there is so much which is political that should be discussed. But in my preference, I'd rather not discuss those issues - they can be left for a more informal conversation, and in many ways it would make this review more about my political ideals rather than about the movie itself.

Back to the question at the start - Is there really any such thing as unbiased reporting? I think this movie answers that clearly in saying there isn't - but nevertheless, its still important for reporters to come out with stories regardless how biased it is. Had Edward Murrow not stuck with his ideals, he would have not exposed Senator McCarthy as the bully he is. The only flaw in Murrow is that he fails to see that he himself is not fair to McCarthy, and to me the most compelling question that was asked to him during the movie was this 'When Senator McCarthy convicted Alger Hiss of Purgatory rather than Treason, why didn't you bring that up? We all censor what we want to hear'.

What George Clooney has done so well here is that he has not taken the easy route and shown McCarthy as this huge monster. Instead he tries to balance it out, show that there are flaws on both sides. Murrow as impressive as he is has his own flaws - he only wants to hear what he deems right. McCarthy's flaws are obvious - he has bullied people until they've become timid, and unwilling to express their own opinions.

The story of the Wershbas (Joe and Shirley, played by Robert Downing Jr. and Patricia Clarkson), represents what McCarthyism has done to people. The company has a policy of not employing married couples, but they are married, and they are afraid of revealing it. The same goes for any communist at the time - they will not reveal themselves, they were much too scared to do so.

The screenplay in this movie is fantastic. I loved how Clooney uses adverts as his transitions. It allows us to remind ourselves that we in the thick of the broadcasting world, in where decisions on what is aired must be considered carefully first. Every other shot is in the CBS building itself, and it allows us to feel as if we're part of their world.

The movie has many great messages - the importance of courageous reporting, the importance of expressing our own opinions. But to me, what stood out the most was that we all censor then and now. It just depends what we choose to do so. There is none among us that actually looks at the world in a 'fair' manner.

Rating: 3.9/5

Written by Kevin Lau