When I learned that George Clooney directed this film, I was eager to see it. I had read positive reviews about it online. I am glad I saw it. It was enticing and interesting; the script was decent and the acting excellent. But I didn't come away feeling wuite fufilled. The lessons of 50s history and the power of honesty are timeless and valuable, but I walked away wishing there was more to it. Don't get me wrong, it was a pretty darn good movie, and George Clooney was impressive in his writing, acting, and directing, but I expected more. Language is really the only issue in the movie, and it's mild. There are two "hells" and two "godd**ns". There is no sex, and no on-screen violence, though you hear brief talk of a troubled journalist who committed suicide. Everyone in the film smokes almost constantly and they drink a bit too, but smoking/drinking isn't promoted. It's an impressive movie. It's okay for kids 11 and up, but the plot, despite the slow pace of the film, moves moves fast and it can be hard for kids to keep up. Not a masterpiece or anything, but recommended.
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Good Night, and Good Luck
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About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Compelling political drama won't engage most kids.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Good Night, and Good Luck
Parents need to know that this drama includes some mild language and nearly non-stop smoking (Murrow's addiction is well known). The notorious Senator Joseph McCarthy appears in news footage, condemning people as "communists" in the HUAC hearings and on television, based on spurious or no evidence. A husband and wife employed by CBS must hide the fact of their marriage because it's against company policy. Coworkers drink at a bar after work. During Murrow's interview with Liberace, the famously gay pianist talks about wanting to find a good woman, something of an inside joke. A journalist is so unnerved by accusations that he's a communist that he kills himself (off screen, but other characters react to the news).
Read our full review by Cynthia Fuchs
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the basic moral and political issues the film raises. What is the news media's role with regard to government corruption, error, and cover-up? How does the film incorporate images of black women -- one in footage being grilled by McCarthy, and another singing in a CBS recording studio -- as comments on the abuse of power by white authorities?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
A Complex and Interesting Portrayal of 50s Journalism...
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
An excellent political drama
This was an excellent movie. I agree that most teens won't be interested in this movie unless they have to do a report on it for school. However, for adults, this movie is an excellent depiction of the McCarthy controversy of the 1950's.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
very well made and intellectual
great movie but you would have to be a politics lover to under stand the concept and villain, any one who says that taking someone down with force is the only answer is horribly mistaken
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
see it.
"this is not for kids to see its for adlut or for teens only." I'm wondering what makes you say that...whatever, it's not true. Although most kids 9 or younger won't find this interesting, certainly some will (I would), and it's appropiate for mature kids 6 and up. It's fantastically filmed and very interesting, especially if you're interested in politics. I didn't get all of the references because I wasn't fully grounded in Communist history yet, but I still got the gist of the story. There's smoking, but c'mon, that was normal in that time period and honestly, without the cigarettes the movie wouldn't have been nearly the same.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Great movie
I'm a huge film buff, but I'm not afraid to admit that old movies DO bore me. Not all of them, I loved Psycho, Touch of Evil, etc. but some of them (especially the black and white ones) just make me feel tired. This movie is filmed just like an old movie, probably because movies were old (and in black and white) when this film took place. But I found it interesting (once you got into it) and a great historical peace to talk to your children about when they're, say, 11 (if they find it interesting, which few will) Although the movie features extensive smoking, you've got to hand it to Clooney: he made a movie that only some teens and adults are interested in, and he got it a PG rating, and no sex or violence even though he easily could have done that and gotten an R rating. We need more people like that in Hollywood.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it
this is not for kids to see its for adlut or for teens only.
- I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
Revisionist History Lesson Continues
The facts are that many people in Hollywood in the '30s and '40s were, indeed, members of the Communist Party. They were using their celebrity status to further an ideal that has cost many millions of people their lives, and has cost many more millions of people their dreams. Good Night and Good Luck conveniently ignores the facts in order to promote the idea that Hollywood celebs and the Press are always the good guys. The truth is that Liberty requires Vigilence, then and now.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
This is one of the best movies that I have seen in a long time. It accurately and rivetingly portrays the sense of fear and oppresion that surrounded the McCarthy era, further accentuating the bravery of Edward Murrow and his crew. Artistically filmed in black and white, the film seems somehow "cleaner", no artificial hustle and bustle to detract from the actual plot of the movie. It also displays the darker part of the media's influence. A great friend of Murrow depressed by constant critisism of him in the New York Times, is finally driven to despair and suicide, including a very moving scene of him sitting in his living room with the gas turned on. From the high points to the low, the story is one of bravery courage, and the true power of the media, artfully rendered, beautifully acted, and masterfully directed.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Such an important story
This is one of the great films of the year. The story is beautifully told. The cinemetography is magnificent, the acting superb. Most important, this is a story all Americans should see because it reminds us why the media, even with its flaws, is such a critical and essential part of a functioning democracy. Younger kids are not likely to understand this and will be bored, but it should be required for teenagers and adults.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Outstanding movie with an important message
This movie was beautifully made. Cinematography, casting, and directing brought this important story to life. Teenagers that are socially and or politically aware, will find this movie compelling. I recommend it highly for teenagers and adults.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
Best film of the year, but not for young kids
Superb acting (especially by Strathairn, whose portrayal of Murrow is spot on), a fascinating, inspiring story, stylish cinematography (in B&W), and sumptuous jazz/blues music make this film a must see. For me, what put this movie over the top was its poignancy. Its themes of the evolving role of TV in our lives, social consciousness, civil rights, a govt that sees dissention as the same thing as disloyalty, are as relevant today as they were in the 1950s. The only reason I recommend this movie for older kids is attention span. While we have discussed many of these issues with our own kids (7 and 8), I just don't think they could've lasted through nearly 2 hours of talking heads, and to them the eloquent elocution would have just been a lot of boring "big words". However, what a wonderful history and civics lesson for your 5th graders or older!
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