The Ides of March

Anyone who has seen the half dozen trailers promoting this political thriller knows it looked good, but could it deliver. YES!!! I had to go to be able to say that I saw all 3 of Goslings 2011 releases the day the came out in the theaters. All three are completely different films, and the only thing this does is add to his over abundant reputation for being able to play anyone. A true actor in every sense of the word. This was another role where he was able to portray a man on a mission. A brooding man with success on his mind. Everyone knows this is a George Clooney "vehicle". Clooney helped write the script, helped produce, Directed it and starred in it. With that being said, It only took Gosling 15 minutes to steal the vehicle George had built, and he drives it like a bat outta hell for 90 minutes. He out shined everyone on screen, which tells us something about Clooney's eye for talent, and lack of ego. This story is about the Democratic Primaries going into the election with the final two men being Mike Morris (Clooney) and the other guy, Pullman (who we never see, but I am pretty sure it was written as Bill Pullman- since he has already played a president once before.) More than that, it is about the man behind the man, which is Paul (Hoffman), who is the campaign leader. Even more than that, it is about Paul's right hand man Stephen (Gosling). These 2 men are the brain trust for Morris to win the Dem Nomination, which would put him in the front of the Presidential race. Stephen, above all, is moral. His life is politics, but he would not dare compromise himself for a victory. His idol is his candidate, which is good for Morris, because Stephen is a very smart guy. He can spin it, say it, or tell it anyway he wants and it all comes out positive. He is the golden boy, but at what cost? Turns out he becomes entangled in a feud between both camps, and before he knows it, it is so out of control he cannot even fix the situation.  It doesn't matter where your political views lie, this is a damn good movie, and really fun to watch Gosling at every turn. Phillip Seymour Hoffman was phenomenal as well, and I did not know it was rated R until his first big scene when he dropped the F-bomb 7 times. I do think Ides gives Scarface a run for its money with that particular word. Stephen Loves politics. It is his life, but being as moral as he is and wants to remain, he has a choice to make, and that choice is really what the movie turns into. When it all goes south does he want to get his hands dirty or walk away? It is not a boring, candidates on the trail type of film. It is more of the practices the camps will institute to get their guy elected. Brilliant, fast paced, and acted to perfection. I thoroughly enjoyed what George Clooney gave us with this one. Co-starring Paul Giamatti, Evan Rachel Wood, and Marisa Tomei - this is a solid film.


NBM rates The Ides of March - Phenomenal