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The last year has been exceedingly good to Messieurs Ryan Gosling and George Clooney. While the moody Drive earned the former some much-deserved cult-cred, the

latter’s The Descendants has staked coveted Oscar nominations in multiple categories. Sparks are naturally to be expected when these two veritable powerhouses combine forces; case in point: the political drama The Ides of March. Representing Clooney’s fourth directorial venture, the film is

particularly relevant in the context of the recently-concluded Iowa caucus and the heady contesting of the Republican nomination. And while the story it has to tell—based loosely on the play Farragut North by Beau Willimon—might not be the freshest or the most insightful when compared to older offerings of the genre, like The Candidate, Nixon, or even Clooney’s own Good Night and Good Luck, the film is rescued from tedium by an incredible cast and confident direction.

In the lead up to the Ohio

presidential primary, we’re introduced to Pennsylvania Governor and Democratic hopeful Mike Morris (Clooney), a progressive, high-principled liberal thinker who could charm the socks off a glacier. Morris represents the new face of politics—the ghost of Barack Obama’s own call-for-change in 2008—and he has all the bases covered. Healthcare for all? Yessiree. Abortion rights? Throw that in. The environment? Let’s save it. And what about religion? He’s an atheist (quelle horreur!) whoworships naught but the US Constitution, but he won’t begrudge you your divergent views. At a glance—the perfect,

tolerant candidate. Responsible for much of the success of Morris’ campaign is senior advisor Paul Zara (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and underling Stephen Myers (Gosling), an ambitious young press secretary. While Zara has been hardened by years of working with politicians, Myers, despite his general street-smarts, is still young enough to be an idealist. He looks up to Morris with a palpable puppy-dog devotion, seeing him as a Messiah of sorts, here to

deliver America from ruination.

Soon, however, Myers’

ambitions and his illusions lead him to make a number of questionable decisions, forming the archpoints of the film’s plot—the first being taking up a clandestine meeting with rival campaign

manager Tom Duffy (Paul Giamatti as versatile as ever), something Zara isn’t too keen to forgive. He is also seduced by the blonde and quippy Molly Stearns (Evan Rachel Wood), a 20-year-old intern from the campaign office. Finally, in a rather abrupt (and clichéd) twist, Myers becomes involuntarily privy to a powerful secret, one that not only shatters his faith in Morris’ virtues—we see the loss of his innocence occurring in one quick sweep—but also changes the

trajectories of many lives when it threatens to come out. The film then rounds off to what the newly disillusioned Myers will do with the power he now holds—which way will he swing?

The idea that politics is a vicious, double-handed, dirty game of smoke and mirrors is

certainly nothing novel, and one wouldn’t say The Ides of March has a groundbreaking take on it. In fact, by all accounts, it is a rather predictable story flowing with an ease that comes of using familiar tropes. But despite stereotypes getting a good workout here, the film comes out unscathed, thanks to amazing cast members who are able to create well-developed, enduring characters. I couldn’t, for instance, think of anyone who could carry the story the way Gosling is able to in the lead role, achieving that balance between being suave and naïve at the same time. Unlike other films I’ve seen of him (excepting Lars and the Real Girl and the more recent Crazy, Stupid, Love), there is a lack of

inhibition about Gosling’s

performance here that is compelling. And Clooney deftly steps off to the side—as much a strategic decision as it has to do with him being occupied with directorial duties—but what scenes he does appear in are worth the wait. The same goes for Hoffman and Giamatti, who are not only able to do justice to their bit roles, but to make them memorable.

Evan Rachel Wood, though, feels a tad miscast in the film. She does exhibit a passable chemistry with Gosling, culminating in an inspired flirtation scene at a bar, but lined up against the other, more seasoned performers, she slinks into the background. But for the most part, Clooney’s sharp, unfussy direction is able to extract the most out of his cast, a result of a particular sensibility for people that he shares with many other actor-turned-directors.

Veering away from the expectations of political thrillers that address matters of a larger, nation-wide scale, this film is deeply personal, essentially revolving around the question of one man’s morality and the stripping of his long-held ideals and values. It is testament to the impact of

simplicity; even without elaborate action sequences and complicated plotlines, The Ides of March still keeps you hooked based on the sheer power of good acting.

4/5

The Ides of March

Actors: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Evan Rachel Wood

Genre: Political drama

Director: George Clooney

Posted on: 2012-02-01 08:45

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