2012 is an election year in the U.S. while municipal elections are just around the corner throughout British Columbia. With the world’s financial markets in chaos and citizens protesting at scores of European cities Alliance Films smartly brings out The Ides of March, an unsettling tale of high stakes politics sure to set off sparks.
Politics can be a dirty business. Running for the American presidency can bring out the best (and worst) in people. The Ides of March focuses in on a two person battle for the Democratic nomination. Lucky for us most of the 101 minute proceedings looks at the “backroom” tactics of one particular candidate.
Perfect Fit for George Clooney as Governor on the Make
Said to be on the fast track to Oval Office success is Governor Mike Morris. Handsome George Clooney (Ocean’s 11) seems tailor made for this role. He’s sharp, slick, smart and oh, let’s not forget not that bad to look at. He seems like a shoe in for the nomination. And he’s got the talented team behind him to go all the way.
Funny how sometimes the best laid plans can go astray. Two men play particularly pivotal parts in Morris’ campaign. Chief organizer Paul Zara is from the old school – a long time political operative with a sense they’re going to win. Quality actor Philip Seymour Hoffman (Moneyball) fits this part like a glove and is low-keyed but full of inner emotion. Just as cool, calm and collected is new kid on the block Stephen Myers, the campaign’s main media man. Canadian Ryan Gosling (Drive) looks like a young George Clooney here as he’s just as charismatic, opportunistic and full of smart ideas. Together these two form a formidable team and are always in the good Governor’s corner. A scandal here, a scandal there, and the dirty thrust of a winner take all campaign begins to take its toll on all forces connected to the Iowa Primary,
Political Graft Surfaces with Slick Jeffrey Wright the Supreme Manipulator
Every political battle needs a foe and there can be no better equalizer than Tom Duffy, the campaign dynamo behind the competition. Live wire Paul Giamatti (Shoot em’ Up) gives off great vibes as the conniving opposite number to Zara and becomes a pivotal player as the campaign goes down to the wire. Elements of reality sink in often here with the usual suspects all lining their pockets and out to prove themselves and improve their net worth. James Bond alumnus Jeffrey Wright (Casino Royale) lends a certain degree of credibility to The Ides of March as an opportunistic Senator while Academy Award winning actress Marisa Tomei (My Cousin Vinny) does journalists everywhere proud as a prying press member. On the other hand, Evan Rachel Ward (Thirteen) may have set the Women’s Movement back a notch or two as a new staffer to the campaign.
Clooney must have politics in his blood and on his mind as he wrote, produced and starred in this movie. All the dialogue is crisp and the scenarios unfolding quite credible. Solid acting from everyone helps make The Ides of March a good story with meaty characters and a fun insider’s look at the high stakes world of presidential politics – a good precursor to this year’s campaign south of the border.
Robert Waldman - Hi. I'm a film critic from Vancouver, British Columbia Canada, considered to be the number one city in the world and third largest film ...
