Good Night, And Good Luck: Widescreen Edition DVD Review

Buy This DVD Now By Clicking On The Icon Below!

Title: Good Night, And Good Luck: Widescreen Edition

Region: One

Genre: Drama

Stars: David Strathairn, Patricia Clarkson, George Clooney, Jeff Daniels, Robert Downey Jr. Frank Langella, and Ray Wise

Writers: George Clooney and Grant Heslov

Director: George Clooney

Feature length: 93 minutes

Extras: Feature Length Audio Commentary With Director/Co-Writer George Clooney and Producer/Co-Screenwriter Grant Heslov, Featurette, Trailer, and WHV Previews

Languages: English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

Subtitles: English Closed Captions and English, French, and Spanish Language Subtitles

Packaging: Keep Case

Chapter Stops: 22

Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

Year of Theatrical Release: 2005/DVD Release: 2006

Theatrical Distributor: Warner Independent Pictures

Home Video Distributor: Warner Home Video

MPAA Rating: PG

Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera

“Good Night, And Good Luck” focuses on the battle of words that took place in the court of public opinion through broadcast television between CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow and Senator Joseph McCarthy in the early 1950s. George Clooney’s feature film, which he co-wrote with Producer Grant Heslov, focuses specifically on how Murrow used the media to reveal the persecution that had occurred during the McCarthy era and yet it never demonizes the man beyond the use of real filmed footage from the McCarthy hearings and so forth. There is even an instant towards the end of the film where one of the characters played by Robert Downey, Jr. confesses fears to his wife, played by Patricia Clarkson, regarding whether or not bringing down McCarthy was the right thing to do. Ray Wise plays a tragic role with extra pathos as well. The film is extremely timely today when one looks at the contemporary issues that haunt us today whether it is American policy in the Middle East or the domestic neglect and cutbacks in education and environmental protection that has created a terrible legacy for future generations to contend with. Even the recent issues regarding the FCC and it’s reaction to the post Janet Jackson halftime show mishap that drove broadcasters like Howard Stern to seek freedom through the developing satellite radio market. There can be no doubt that if the events of the film are truly accurate then Murrow’s warnings about the future of television were truly prophetic and like many serious dramas that have come before it where even if we know the historical outcome, the viewer is extremely compelled by the tight and at times claustrophobic screen direction of George Clooney and David Strathairn’s intense performance that builds tension throughout the movie.

This is a film destined to be used as a companion piece for studies on the media and history in schools with students of all ages for decades to come. Already at the college where I earned my BA and Masters degrees there will be a special screening of “Good Night, And Good Luck” followed by a conversation with Brooklyn College of the City University of New York alums Joe Wershba ’41 and Shirley Wershba ’43, former CBS employees whose work with Edward R. Murrow is depicted in the film. Professor Anthony Mancini, Director of the Journalism Program and Professor of Film Foster L. Hirsch, noted film historian, will moderate. For those of you in the New York City area, who would like to attend, please call the Whitman Hall Box Office at (718) 951-4500 or the Movie Hotline at (718) 951-4610. The screening and discussion will take place on Monday, March 20, 2006, at 3:30pm at Brooklyn College Whitman Hall.

For those unable to attend this screening, Warner Home Video’s widescreen DVD edition presents “Good Night, And Good Luck” with a matted widescreen aspect ratio enhanced for 16 by 9 televisions that preserves the black and white photography beautifully and as close as possible to the original manner in which the film was exhibited theatrically for DVD-Video users. The English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Soundtrack is appropriately subdued and clear. English Closed Captions for the hearing impaired as well as English, French, and Spanish Language Subtitles are encoded onto the dual layered DVD as options too. There is also a feature length audio commentary with Director/Co-Writer George Clooney and Producer/Co-Screenwriter Grant Heslov that when Clooney is not trying to be cute, is actually quite informative from both the point of view of the filmmaker’s commenting on the production process as well as their feelings and understandings related to the historical context of the motion picture.

A companion featurette with cast interviews as well as comments from people who were actually involved with the events portrayed in the film (15:00) and the theatrical trailer (2:00) round out the extra value materials included in this standard DVD release. WHV trailers for “Everything Is Illuminated” (2:26) and “Paradise Now” (2:27) precede the main menu. All of the DVD menus are standard interactive still frames that are easy to navigate and feature music from the film’s Jazz soundtrack. Within the keep case there was an insert with the web address to a website where viewers inspired by the film can log on and find resources and information. The address is www.participate.net.

“Good Night, And Good Luck” is available on DVD-Video now at retailers on and offline courtesy of Warner Home Video. I highly recommend checking this film out.

Return To The Previous Page

Buy This DVD Now By Clicking On The Icon Below!