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. Â 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. Â 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. Â He is quite believable as a governor running for the highest and most coveted office. Â Supporting cast members, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giammati play rival campaign managers. Â Phillip Seymour Hoffman also had a major role in another 2011 blockbuster, Moneyball. Â I didn’t even recognize Marisa Tomei at first. Â She plays a reporter covering the campaign primaries in Ohio and North Carolina.
Sadly, it’s easy to see this story as being plausible. Â 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. Â The secrets and dishonesty are rampant and probably, realistic. Â The cover of the DVD sums it up pretty well. Â Who are we electing? Â The person we see or the person behind them that they’ve made promises to or are being blackmailed by?
My take: Â Excellent acting, predictable screenplay.
- Rotten Tomatoes gave The Ides of March an 85% Fresh rating.
- It received 4 Golden Globe nominations, Â 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.