Good Night, and Good Luck.

2005, Biography/History, 1h 33m

225 Reviews 100,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

A passionate and concise cinematic civics lesson, Good Night, And Good Luck has plenty to say about today's political and cultural climate, and its ensemble cast is stellar. Read critic reviews

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Good Night, and Good Luck. Photos

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Movie Info

When Senator Joseph McCarthy begins his foolhardy campaign to root out Communists in America, CBS News impresario Edward R. Murrow (David Strathairn) dedicates himself to exposing the atrocities being committed by McCarthy's Senate "investigation." Murrow is supported by a news team that includes long-time friend and producer Fred Friendly (George Clooney). The CBS team does its best to point out the senator's lies and excesses, despite pressure from CBS' corporate sponsors to desist.
  • Rating:
    PG (Mild Thematic Elements|Brief Language)
  • Genre:
    Biography, History, Drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    George Clooney
  • Producer:
    Grant Heslov
  • Writer:
    George Clooney, Grant Heslov
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $31.5M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Warner Independent
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

David Strathairn
Edward R. Murrow
Patricia Clarkson
Shirley Wershba
George Clooney
Fred Friendly
Jeff Daniels
Sig Mickelson
Robert Downey Jr.
Joe Wershba
Frank Langella
William Paley
Ray Wise
Don Hollenbeck
Robert John Burke
Charlie Mack
Reed Diamond
John Aaron
Tate Donovan
Jesse Zousmer
Grant Heslov
Don Hewitt
Tom McCarthy
Palmer Williams
Matt Ross
Eddie Scott
Rose Abdoo
Millie Lerner
Alex Borstein
Natalie
Peter Jacobson
Jimmy
Robert Knepper
Don Surine
Dianne Reeves
Jazz singer
George Clooney
Director
George Clooney
Writer
Grant Heslov
Writer
Marc Butan
Executive Producer
Ben Cosgrove
Executive Producer
Mark Cuban
Executive Producer
Jennifer Fox
Executive Producer
Barbara A. Hall
Co-Producer
Grant Heslov
Producer
Zygi Kamasa
Co-Producer
Kiyotaka Ninomiya
Co-Producer
Robert Elswit
Cinematography
Stephen Mirrione
Film Editing
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Good Night, and Good Luck.

All Critics (225) | Top Critics (59) | Fresh (210) | Rotten (15)
Full Review… Zadie Smith Daily Telegraph (UK) Full Review… Victoria Segal New Statesman Full Review… Simon Crook Empire Magazine Full Review… Peter Rainer Christian Science Monitor Full Review… Sandra Hall Sydney Morning Herald Full Review… Dave Calhoun Time Out Full Review… Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Full Review… David Lamble Bay Area Reporter Full Review… Brian D. Johnson Maclean's Magazine Full Review… Matthew Lucas The Dispatch (Lexington, NC) Full Review… Nanciann Cherry Toledo Blade Full Review… Joel Siegel Good Morning America
View All Critic Reviews (225)

Audience Reviews for Good Night, and Good Luck.

  • Feb 16, 2016
    A great image and fine acting can't save the film from feeling lifeless, and at times, even turgid.
    Kyle M Super Reviewer
  • Feb 03, 2015
    George Clooney's "Good Night, and Good Luck." is a striking take on the cultural and political climate of the 1950s. Using aesthetic elements, strong dialogue and well-rounded performances from a star-studded cast, the film makes for a powerful depiction of society then & now. 4/5
    Eugene B Super Reviewer
  • Sep 10, 2013
    George Clooney uses David Strathairn to full use in this often engaging look at Edward Murrow and his role in breaking the tyranny of McCarthyism at the height of the Cold War.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Jun 25, 2013
    Smart, succinct and splendidly lensed, "Good Night, and Good Luck" is more about its cast than anything. The likes of Jeff Daniels, Patricia Clarkson, George Clooney, Frank Langella, Tom McCarthy, Ray Wise and Robert Downey, Jr. offer solid support to David Strathairn, who is marvelously composed and understated in his performance.
    Stephen E Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

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