Movies Reviews

The Ides of March – Movie Review

By Anne Brodie Oct 8, 2011, 14:14 GMT

Stephen is a wunderkind press secretary who has built a career that men twice his age would envy. During a tight presidential primary race, however, Stephen\'s meteoric rise falls prey to the backroom politics of more seasoned operatives, and his one night stand with a teenage staffer proves to be more complicated than casual. Farragut North is a classic tale of hubris set against a contemporary landscape - about the ...more

George Clooney directs this effective but slightly hysterical political thriller focusing on a young idealistic political campaigner who becomes enthralled with the process and possibility of wielding power. 

Myers, played with gleeful wickedness by Ryan Gosling, undergoes a sensational transformation during his time spent behind-the-scenes supporting presidential candidate Morris (Clooney).  Gosling, not Clooney, gets the lion’s share of the story in a career high performance that comes so close on the heels of another Gosling triumph, Drive.

Myers is dedicated to promoting the political ambitions of Governor Morris and strategizing; tweaking each and every step he takes.  Myers answers to Zara (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) the veteran lead campaigner and flirts with intern Molly (Rachel Evan Woods) while avoiding Horowtiz, the hardnosed reporter (Marisa Tomei).  Life’s tough in this circus and it’s good to look over the shoulder constantly.  It’s great dramatic fodder.

Myers is so exceptional at what he does that the other team goes after him, led by the sardonic Duffy (Paul Giamatti).   Bit by bit, Myers begins to grapple with his conscience, and develops a protective layer that gets thicker as each day goes by.  He begins to discover his inner, amoral animal.  And then the fun really begins. 

Political candidates always have vulnerability and its loud and clear here.  You’ll be reminded of Bill Clinton and his lowest.   Rather than being beaten by the system Myers thrives.  He thinks nothing can bring him down.

The film is adapted from the novel North Farragut, in reference to a Washington business square where failed politicians go to open their consulting firms.   It lingers in the back of the mind that Farragut awaits any political operative who makes a misstep.  And it’s easy to do considering the kind of people, money and influence in which that world deals. 

The media is always nearby hungry for headlines and scandals. It’s a brutal world that tests loyalty on a moment to moment basis.  The Ides of March is a really covers ground as an insider’s look at ambition run amok.

This is well executed, if somewhat conventional storytelling that focuses on the information rather than cinematic tricks.  It’s snappy, fast and fun as we become voyeurs beyond the Beltway.  Clooney’s a supple, mindful director and has an eye for talent too, casting Gosling just as the younger’s talent is starting to show remarkable promise. 

It’s the land of the movie giants here and they do brilliant ensemble work.  The problem is that the film is over-excited about itself, as though corruption at the highest levels was something new. It’s as old as the hills.

I hope Clooney continues to make thought provoking films on important subjects in his traditional style.  He is one of the great class acts and I for one will see just about any film he decides to make because there will be something stirring, momentous and real about it.  

And he won’t waste my time with excess and cinematic noise.   And as for Ryan Gosling, the world’s his oyster now.  Let’s hope he stays the course.

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35mm political thriller
Written by George Clooney, Grant Hesloff, based on Beau Willamon’s play Farragut North
Directed by George Clooney
Opens:  Oct 7
Runtime:
MPAA: Rated R for pervasive language
Country: US
Language: English