The film does not - as some have suggested - unfairly portray McCarthy as a sub-human monster. Its presentation of McCarthy is limited strictly to the thread of the storyline and never does it waver toward name-calling or character assassination. This is particularly striking given that MCarthy was a well-seasoned alcoholic and clearly suffered from a narcissistic personality disorder. He was ripe for parody because his eccentricities were so pronounced, but this film is remarkably even-handed about the Senator's deeds and behavior. There are no allusions either to his peculiar friendship with Roy Cohn, whose notorious homosexual relations with private G. David Schine eventually led to McCarthy's demented charge that the Army was infested with Communists. Some have even suggested that McCarthy was no stranger to gay trysts. All of this could have made for an explosive - and typical - "Hollywood" movie and would indeed have been propagandistic, shallow and simple-minded. Instead Clooney has made an intelligent, cogent, fair-minded film about ethics, high standards and integrity.

In an era where "containment" against the threat of a global communism was the word and many feared commies lurking in every dark street corner in America, few stood up to an overwhelming tide of public accusations, blind uncritical patriotism, and war mongering. Good night and Good Luck recounts historic events of when broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow (David Strathairn) looked to expose Senator Joseph McCarthy as a fear mongering, psychopathic, self promoting, opportunist. Co-stared George Clooney (Director and co-writer), Robert Downey Jr., Patricia Clarkson, and Jeff Daniels. Excellent watch for history enthusiasts and patriots alike.