(Rated PG) No luck needed at all, George Clooney tackles writing and directing to bring us the story (focus on the 1950s) of Edward R. Murrow’s Broadcasting career. Clooney has dramatically recreated a time in history when TV was black and white, men wore solid grey suits to the office, and chain-smoked cigarettes. It was clearly a man’s world. In 1935 Edward R. Murrow (where-did-they-find-this-guy David Stratharin?) began his news career. By 1953, when television was in its infancy, he was with CBS studios, during a decade when audiences were naïve, brainwashed and hypnotized by reassuring media and sing-songy advertisements. Murrow threw stones at great people, none the least, Senator Joseph McCarthy, igniting what would be a great confrontation to the world of journalism. With help from CBS employees (Frank Langella as the big boss, Robert Downey Jr. as a staffer, and his wife, portrayed by Patricia Clarkson; Clooney himself as news director Fred Friendly) a climate of intense fear prevails. The irony in watching this era’s tale, is that we so badly need this decency in today’s news media. Clooney brings us – the audience – inside the newsroom, making us feel an automatic need to participate and sympathize, as though we too are on the CBS payroll. His outstanding directing – tight cuts, constant swirl of smoke, his bantering dialog and pressure cooking tactics, dramatize the typical tension of what takes place at any journalist’s round table or staff meeting. I would imagine with all that smoking, that when the director yelled “cut!” the cast and crew were in need of a fresh air break, not a cigarette break. Though the cast can be sure, this movie is a breath of fresh air despite its foul subject matter. Three Tiaras.
