Ryan Gosling turned in an amazing performance as a assistant campaign manager that moves from an idealistic, hopeful supporter to a cynical, jaded, and scheming blackmailer. He says something like, “This is my life we’re talking about” at one point in the movie when he is being used as a pawn. Unfortunately, it is his life and his heart that ends up being destroyed by the political machinations of a presidential campaign.
This film, Ides of March, was directed by George Clooney, who also gives an excellent performance as the presidential candidate. He is quite believable as a governor running for the highest and most coveted office. Supporting cast members, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giammati play rival campaign managers. Phillip Seymour Hoffman also had a major role in another 2011 blockbuster, Moneyball. I didn’t even recognize Marisa Tomei at first. She plays a reporter covering the campaign primaries in Ohio and North Carolina.
Sadly, it’s easy to see this story as being plausible. The amount of dirty politics and extortion that goes on behind the scenes wouldn’t shock anyone anymore, but it is still difficult to watch it play out. The secrets and dishonesty are rampant and probably, realistic. The cover of the DVD sums it up pretty well. Who are we electing? The person we see or the person behind them that they’ve made promises to or are being blackmailed by?
My take: Excellent acting, predictable screenplay.
- Rotten Tomatoes gave The Ides of March an 85% Fresh rating.
- It received 4 Golden Globe nominations, Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama (Ryan Gosling), Best Director (George Clooney) and Best Screenplay (Clooney, Heslov, and Willimon).
- Only one Oscar nomination for Adapted Screenplay.
I have meant to watch this one several times. We are definitely going to need to pick it up soon. Thank you for sharing.