Gee Film Reviews

8th October 2011

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Ides of March - Movie Review

Grade: C+

Politicians are despicable and dishonest. Power corrupts. If these hackneyed truisms are not already indoctrinated enough, George Clooney’s speculated “tour de force,” falls flat by giving exposure to an idea already explored through past works. The Ides of March - directed, written, and produced by George Clooney - is a political piece that displays exceptional textbook filmmaking, but sadly plays too much by the book.

Based on the 2008 play Farragut North, Ides of March,moderately serves as an allegory to contemporary politics and the individuals assisting our society’s dignitaries. The story revolves around Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling), the Junior Campaign Manager for Mike Morris (George Clooney), the candidate for the Democratic primary. Stephen and his partner, Senior Campaign Manager Paul Zera (Phillip Seymour Hoffman), are attempting to lobby for Ohio which would most definitely seal Morris’s nomination. When Stephen hastily decides to meet with rival campaign manager Tom Duffy (Paul Giamiatti) and starts a steam relationship with intern Molly Stearns (Evan Rachel Wood), the film exposes the dark side of politics as well as mankind as whole.

Cast with an unrivaled cast, the film unquestionably uses its acting talent to its fullest potential. Layered with twists and dependent on unraveling constrictions, the performances by Gosling and Clooney undoubtedly support the tension that film obliges. Supported with some unrestricted emotion and reality, the film is fully engrossing and gripping with an underlying provocative sense throughout. 

While the film acting force is at top of its game, Ides fails to provide any societal exposure, with revelations being very low relative to its political landscape.  As soon as the film focuses on the dark side of Gosling’s character, the film becomes quite obvious in what it is trying to portray.  The film, at the half way point becomes far too predictable, and the character study is simply present to express that “power corrupts,” which is a concept that is fully explored.

The Ides of March is full fledged entertainment provides brilliant performances that are both emotional and true to its allegorical subject. The film’s unraveling plot and underlying tension are well worth the time, but Ides does not match the potent force that many speculators hoped it to be.  It is far too predictable and does not offer any unique message, but this Clooney production is filled with an acting force unmatched with any film this year. Grade: C+

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