Good Night, and Good Luck. (***1/2)

George Clooney's second directorial effort is even better than his last. This is a tightly focused, beautifully shot film. I think when people describe a film as "handsomely" shot, this is what they're talking about. This is one handsome film. The black and white, the constant smoking, and the period decor all contribute to that fact. David Straithairn absolutely nails Edward R. Murrow, and captivates the viewer in every scene he's in, much like the real Murrow did back in the 50's. The movie dramatizes the battle between Murrow and Sen. Joseph McCarthy in an efficient and highly effective manner using a seamless combination of both archival news footage and present-day recreation. The dialogue is crisp and memorable, with Frank Langella having most of the movie's best lines. Though it feels slowly paced on the surface, the movie just zips along and is over before you know it. One of the year's best.