Good Night, and Good Luck Movie Analysis PDF

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Summary

Module B, Context, Audience, Purpose, Important Quotes, Setting, Language Forms, Features, Structures, Film Techniques, Themes...

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Good Night, and Good Luck- Marcus Doty Type of text: Good Night, and Good Luck is a feature film, closely based on historical events. Social, Cultural and Historical Context: In the 1950s, the United States saw a rise in paranoia about Communism and its perceived threat to American society. Between 1950 to 1954, Joseph McCarthy (chairman of the House of Un-American Activities Committee led an investigation on people who are suspected of being Communist or associate of being Communist, mostly targeting those who were in the entertainment and arts industry. Nowadays, the term “McCarthyism” is coined to describe those who interfere with others political opinions as well as injustices in the treatment of people who hold unpopular beliefs. The film is set in the 1950s and deals with the impacts of McCarthyism on the CBS news team, mostly Edward R. Murrow. The sense of dismay expressed by Edward R. Murrow that McCarthy was able to influence public opinion and ruin people’s lives on the basis of little or no evidence is central to his motivation to fight McCarthy. Few in society were willing to fight McCarthy due to fear that they would be targeted and opponents to McCarthy’s cause were likely to be accused of being Communists or Communist sympathisers. Anybody with left leanings in politics or who objected McCarthy were labelled a “pinko” in reference to the red star of Soviet Russia and the colour red which symbolises revolution, socialism and communism. The lack of women in the film cast simply reflects the reality of 1950s gender politics where most women were housewives and did not participate in the workforce. Audience: The film is made was made for general audience, through an American audience is more likely to have a detailed knowledge of the background of the film. Despite this, the film does carry a universal message about democratic rights, freedom of speech and the fair process of law. Purpose: Clooney details an unsettling time in American history and the threat that Joseph McCarthy posed to free speech and the rights of citizens to associate with who they wished to support in politics. Clooney is spreading the message that in the 21st century, we need to be equally vigilant and true to our principlesthis is why Murrow is the main character as he is strong and has the courage to act on his principles rather than to bow to pressure and intimidation. Clooney

has openly stated that the purpose of this film is to start an open conversation about the responsibility of journalists to defend the rights of the individual. Clooney wants the audience to see the similarity in developments between the 1950s McCarthyism witch-hunts and the political climate of today, so that the audience can see the connections and make a more informed judgement. Clooney wants the audience to make the connection between McCarthy who is viewed as a purveyor of injustice and connect these ideas to contemporary political problems like the ‘war on terror’, the invasion of Iraq on the basis of them holding weapons of mass destruction and the idea that people who do not support this are un-American. Clooney is warning the audience over the loss of freedom of the press and the implications of this on society, Clooney’s concerns about the importance journalistic ethics aroused from a New York Times editorial about its coverage of the Iraq war. Clooney was concerned about events from the early 2000s concerning the war in Iraq waged by America and its allies on the basis of the inaccurate belief that Iraq held weapons of mass destruction. Important Quotes:  “We have a built-in allergy to unpleasant or disturbing information. Our mass media reflects this.” In this quote, Murrow is reflecting his concerns about how television is merely becoming a source of entertainment rather than a tool for education and discussion of issues.  “I see a chain reaction that has no end to anybody, for anybody.” In this quote, Milo Radulovich is expressing his concerns not only about his own breach of constitutional rights (being dismissed because his father subscribed to Serbian newspapers) but the continuation of this miscarriage of justice.  “These are very dangerous waters you are trying to navigate.” In this metaphor which is delivered by a colonel who tells Friendly not to air the Radulovich piece, reflects the danger Murrow and Friendly will be in as they will likely be targeted.  “Cut them loose.” In this euphemism, Paley warns Murrow that he will fire anyone who is tainted in anyway as being a Communist associate.  “The line between investigating and persecuting is a very fine one.” In this piece of figurative dialogue during his news report, Murrow is demonstrating his awareness of McCarthy’s questionable methods.  “A dues-paying member of the Communist Party.” In this alleged quote by McCarthy, Annie Lee Moss who worked at the Pentagon is accused of decoding and misusing coded messages in her work activities. This quote

accuses Moss of being associated with the Communist Party even though it was later revealed that this was handled without due process of law. Setting: Film is set in New York City between 1953 to 1958. The fact that we are in the 1950s is reinforced by the soundtrack which is composed of 1950s jazz music, interview with television star Liberace, advertisements with Kent Cigarettes and the ever-present cigarette smoke throughout the film (socially acceptable and fashionable to smoke and it was around twenty years before health problems caused by smoking were really considered). Clooney’s use of close-ups, sometimes in silhouettes and sometimes out of focus contributes to the sense of claustrophobia in these smaller rooms, this sense of claustrophobia is also reinforced by the fact that the film is shot entirely inside. Language Forms, Features and Structures: Film Techniques  Use of Archival Footage: Use of archival footage instead of hiring an actor to play McCarthy to play him makes it fair for McCarthy supporters to say this film is attacking or unfair to McCarthy as he represents himself. The black and white of the film of the film gives it an authentic feel as television was broadcasted in black and white.  Juxtaposition: McCarthy and Murrow are continuously juxtaposed throughout the film to show the two distinct personalities or sides of the argument. This highlights the fact how Murrow is reasonable, tolerant and civilised whereas McCarthy is hysterical, unreasonable, dishonest and intolerant.  Editing: Sharp editing of tightly-framed mid-shots and close-ups are used to the major characters of the film to create nervous tension and illustrate the fearful times that the characters are in.  Silence and Close-ups: Clooney uses moments of silence in the film to enhance the feeling of tension and the sense of fear to show the audience how the CBS news team have exposed themselves to this danger and are risking their own livelihoods in order to prevent McCarthy’s obstruction of justice. The use of silence and close-ups is commonly used throughout the film to depict the CBS characters as a team. Examples of this include: - The scene when Murrow is working late at night (seeming vulnerable and isolated AND we also regard that he is working to save his lifestyle and status in his profession) however the camera pans out to reveal Friendly is also there suggesting that Murrow isn’t entirely alone. - The scene where Murrow is about to go on-air to do the Radulovich item, Murrow says to Fred “It occurs to me that we might not get

away with this.” This is followed by a powerful silence as Fred looks greatly uncomfortable but says nothing. Friendly also taps Murrow’s leg with a pencil to cue that he is on-air. - In the scene where the team are all talking to each other and the camera pans quickly from character to character, unusually quickly. The audience has the sense that the team is working together. The quick panning raises the tempo and accelerates the feeling of the interaction as the news that Radulovich has been reinstated. Clooney cleverly turns off the sound to capture the audience’s attention of the team clapping and celebrating.  Double Images: Are achieved when there is an image of the character onscreen however there is also an image of the same character on a television screen. This reveals the contrast between the public and private life of the journalist.  Humour: Although the tone of the film is mostly serious, occasional moments of light humour are used in exchanges between the CBS staff. This is meant to lighten the tone momentarily and highlight the camaraderie of the staff who can make jokes at their own expense.  Use of songs: The film uses a technique of weaving Jazz music into the film which is relevant to the nature of the events being depicted. Songs sung include: - “I’ve got my eyes on you” - “Straighten up and fly right” - “Too close to comfort” - “TV is the thing this year” The use of this song announces one of the most important subjects of this film: television and its use as a means of transmitting reasoned discussion.  Overlay dialogue: This is used when a scene changes however the dialogue continues. Many of the scenes in this film bleed into one another, this weaves together the history of the film, combining the past and the present. Additionally, this also shows us how life in the news studio is always moving and highlights the political and social tension that the news studio is under. Another purpose for this is to symbolise how during this era of conformity, McCarthy would drown out his opponents who were unreasonably trialled and the American people. Value and Meaning of the Text:  Responsibility of journalists and the role of television: The film begins and ends with Murrow discussing the role of television in our society, particularly the dangers of it becoming too entertaining instead of

stimulating discussion. Murrow is depicted as somewhat of a superhero and a courageous character who stood in the face of danger to fight for American civil liberties. Murrow’s speech is mostly to the point and humourless in his opening and closing speeches of the film. The purpose of the speech is to communicate that entertainment is trivial and that television can do more than entertain and television has a duty to be bigger than entertainment but to help develop thinking and considered opinions of issues of great importance.  Freedom of speech as a value of American society: Freedom of speech, opinion, religion and association are all values that underpin American society. This means that in the era of the cold war, if an American wanted to associate with a communist, it should have been “allowed” without the interference of such obstructers like McCarthy, who virtually turned this into a crime in the HUAC. Another interesting point of discussion, how can an American be persecuted because they think a certain way politically or ideologically. This is why governments started to look at who you associated with (Ie. Serbian newspapers) to try to find evidence. Once you start to question the thoughts of others, just about anybody you meet could be a communist.  Conformity and heresy: Even though people are supposed to have a right to their own opinions in American society, McCarthy wants to ruin anybody who refuses to be intolerant to communism. The audience watches McCarthy’s actions turn American principles being reversed, this sees Murrow being targeted by McCarthy and his committee because he doesn’t conform with his far-right wing ideas. Despite following their own consciences as responsible broadcasters, Murrow and Hollenbeck were still the subject of accusations led by McCarthy. Friendly also follows his conscience when he supports them by standing up to the colonels even though they were accused of “heretical and even dangerous ideas” despite this being dissent (going against what is considered mainstream), Friendly, Murrow and much of the news team follow their conscience and strong principles as they know that McCarthy is being beyond unreasonable in implying that any form of dissent is dangerous. This film teaches us that society should be able to tolerate people who disagree with the mainstream.  Personal Conscience: Murrow exposes himself to being a political target to McCarthy when he follows his conscience as he believes that as a journalist he has a responsibility to speak out about the Radulovich case and the methods of McCarthy.

 Truth and the future of mass media: Murrow risked persecution by McCarthy because he believed that television must tell the truth even if it is dangerous to do so. Murrow’s speech at the start of the film details how the future of mass media is in danger if it continues to be used as entertainment, suggesting that all would be lost if so- therefore Murrow uses his platform of the media in a way that allows him to follow the truth whilst contributing to using the media for its true purpose of stimulating political and social discussion and points of argument. Murrow’s show is then moved to Sunday nights, suggestive that his content is beginning to serve less of a purpose in more contemporary TV environments. Clooney is also warning the contemporary audience about the dangers of TV losing it’s informative and journalistic purpose.  Importance of judicial process: The process of due law was not properly considered during the course of the film. This is evident through the cases of Milo Radulovich and Annie Lee Moss whose cases were both based off hearsay, which is not factual, fair or in any means true. Milo Radulovich was trialled for being a security risk off the evidence that was never presented in court and was maintained inside an envelope, this is clearly a breach of his constitutional rights. The same miscarriage of justice is used in the Annie Lee Moss trial where she is accused of being a paid witness of the Communist Party. Moss was denied the right to know the name of her accuser (which is a fundamental right) and she was expected to answer questions without any form of legal support.  The value of comradery and teamwork: The value of teamwork is most evident when the team cooperates towards putting the show together, both while it goes to air and when discussing future plans in meetings. The friendship and teamwork between Friendly and Murrow is unwavering despite the immense pressures of the McCarthy trials, this friendship is evident through the pencil tap when Friendly taps Murrow so he is cued to start speaking- reflecting how their friendship can withstand the pressures of McCarthy....