Review: The Ides of March

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Politics.

Stephen (Ryan Gosling) is working on a presidential campaign for Mike Morris. (George Clooney) In between working for his sometimes pushy boss, Paul (Philip Seymour Hoffman) dodging nosey reporter, Ida (Marisa Tomei) having secret meetings with the opposing campaign manger, Tom (Paul Giamatti) and falling for a young intern, Molly (Evan Rachel Wood) Stephen has got his hands full. Eventually he learns one of Morris's dirty little secrets, and Stephen will have to play dirty himself.

I've never been a big fan of political thrillers, but I gave this one a chance because of the wonderful cast.  I didn't think it was possible for Ryan Gosling to look unattractive, but the opening and closing shots of this film do him no justice. His performance is good, as is everyone's, but besides Gosling and Clooney the rest of the cast aren't given much to do The plot started out interesting but felt like it had been dragged through the dirt by the time it made it to it's abrupt ending. I've seen a lot of blogs talk about which role Gosling should campaign during the Oscar season. I say Drive. I was never looking at my watch during Drive.

Recommended: No

Grade: C+

Memorable Quote: Well...I've been trying to fuck you for awhile now." - Molly (Evan Rachel Wood)

Comments

  1. Dan O.October 13, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    This is entertaining even if suspense barely builds and pay-off revelations come with little surprise. Clooney, as a director, is also able to draw-out amazing performances from this whole ensemble cast. Great review.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Candice FrederickOctober 13, 2011 at 7:15 PM

    for sure, if he's gunning for oscar gold he should go with Drive. even though i liked his performance here, his Drive performance rocked and really propelled the film. i especially liked Hoffman and Giamatti's performances here, as well as Wood's

    ReplyDelete
  3. DanmarkJanuary 17, 2012 at 10:18 PM

    All I can say is WOW! The cast one of the best out there; great insight into our politics today! Scary! Wish some of what the gov character said he was going to do someone in the real world would have the guts to say and do it!

    ReplyDelete

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