Good Night, and Good Luck.

Tonight is our 200th Rialto Recommends post and our selection for tonight is George Clooney's 2005 gem GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK. 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. 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. Roger Ebert wrote "Clooney's message is clear: Character assassination is wrong, McCarthy was a bully and a liar, and we must be vigilant when the emperor has no clothes and wraps himself in the flag." While the New York Times raved "George Clooney's film about the CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow is a passionate, thoughtful essay on power, truth-telling and responsibility." GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK is available to rent for a modest fee from Apple, Amazon, GooglePlay, YouTube, Vudu, DirectTV and others HERE.