Political drama directed by George Clooney (Goodnight and Good Luck), about an idealistic staffer (Ryan Gosling) working for a newbie presidential candidate (Clooney) who gets a crash course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail. Takes place during the frantic last days before a heavily contested Ohio presidential primary. Paul Giamatti, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Marisa Tomei also star.
Based on the play Farragut North by Beau Willimon, Clooney decided to change the title to The Ides of March, based on the day (March 15) that Julius Caesar was assassinated. In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, before being stabbed to death, Julius Caesar is told by a soothsayer: "Beware the ides of March".
Refreshingly neither a satire nor overblown political conspiracy tale, The Ides of March may not be an Aaron Sorkin-esque look inside the American political system but makes the most of its narrow focus and relatively straightforward narrative. It certainly doesn’t hurt that the film’s competing Democratic campaigns are populated by a cast including the likes of Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti and George Clooney either, but it’s Ryan Gosling’s lead performance that makes the film tick.
Gosling’s charisma and intensity prove a perfect match for the position of deputy campaign manager, and the contrast between his physical appearance and political motivation sees him perfectly cast as someone on the cusp of losing their innocence and joining the ranks of Machiavellian cynics. In Gosling’s performance you see echoes of his previous roles, but unlike Drive or Half Nelson where he arrives on screen a broken version of his character The Ides of March is more about the damage that takes him there.
With The Ides of March taking place within a relatively short time frame, the film doesn’t try to critique the American political system. Instead it is focused on the human element, examining the motivations of its characters and the consequences of all types of decisions that are made in a high stakes environment. The film’s conclusions are hardly shocking and it doesn’t make any revelations that surprise but, like Clooney’s straightforward and unflashy directorial style, The Ides of March proves to be an effective drama.
By Steve Newall, Flicks.co.nz
After many months of flagging confidence in today's US film industry's ability to make a good movie, this one restored our perception. This is the story of a step on the path to the presidency of the United States. It centres on an intense Democratic Party primary in Ohio where campaign press secretary (Ryan Gosling) by chance learns of the possibility of a scandal that will ruin his candidate's (George Clooney) chance of success. At the same time, he becomes the victim of dirty tricks by the opposition candidate's campaign manager but is subsequently redeemed. There is even a nice little in-joke in which Giamatti's character praises himself for the "Win/Win" situation he created! This is not a great movie and the story is a little corny (Ohio - yes, pun intended) but it is very good entertainment, well produced and with some fine acting. We awarded it 4½ stars out of 5.
This is a grown up flick about political power players in which Ryan Gosling outshines everyone as he struggles to find a balance between his morals and his need to succeed. Outstanding performance, as always, by Philip Seymour Hoffman as his mentor and nemesis. As other reviewers have noted there is nothing new about this story and it barely qualifies as a thriller but George Clooneys direction makes for a gripping story. This flick shows that Gosling is one of the best actors of his generation if not THE best as we see him develop from an idealistic boy to a corrupt political player. Paul Giametti and Evan Rachel wood can't quite match the the watchability of Hoffman and Gosling but George Clooney sparkles in a relatively small, if important, role. This one's for the grown-ups.
Extact from theaterofthecommonman.com I'm a sucker for political melodrama and The Ides of March is exactly that. With what appears to be a broad examination of backroom electioneering, the film, whether intentional or not holds a mirror up to the on-going credibility issues faced by the US Congress and Senate. You only have to look at the current republican primary's to understand the message the film is trying to portray, that being, political associate's maybe crooks but the politicians themselves can be criminal. After our earlier release of The Descendants, The Ides of March brings mega star Clooney back to New Zealand screens for the 2nd time within a month. These two completely contrasting roles offer weight to Clooney's ever increasing range as an actor. As Writer / Director he also brings his sophisticated artistic vision back into the spotlight. Clooney's exceptional 2005 film Good Night and Good Luck quickly propelled him from lowly Hollywood actor to bona fide auteur. A number of actors have tried to run duel careers with some doing ok and others floundering. With The Ides of March, Clooney has cemented himself within that rare group of exceptional actors going onto construct phenomenal films.
Classy, intelligent, and bereft of even a single real surprise - except, perhaps, that someone as outspoken as Mr. Clooney should produce such a politically tame "political thriller" (hedging his bets on how the average American viewers' own politics might taint their interpretation of the movie, perhaps?). There's entertainment value in watching this cast enjoy some of the juicier, Sorkin-esque writing, but it ultimately lacks the vital edge and urgency of the earlier classics it reveres. Like the stereotypical politician, it puts on a slick show with interesting rhetoric and persuasive sentiment... but, come crunch time, never quite delivers on the big promises.
I really dont have much to say about it, just a normal look into politics and the 'behind the scenes' stuff that could go on in a election race. The acting from both Ryan Gosling and of cos George Clooney was superb. Not really my thing, but I still found it a good watch. Like some other films reecently, it appeared to be about the choices we make and the results. Genre : drama, polictical 3/5 : It was a good flick, and thought it was good value.
Slick and respectable, and delivering old news.
The movie's strength is in the acting, with Gosling once again playing a character with an insistent presence.
A good popcorn thriller (but not a great one).
Entertaining while you're watching it but, as deceptive as a party's election promises, there's less to it than meets the eye.
A grippingly dark and cynical drama of insider politics.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 16th Feb 2012.
Release date: February 16th 2012.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
