By: Ed Holden
George Clooney and Ryan Gosling just landed IN THE SAME MOVIE! As if that isn’t reason enough, The Ides Of March is superbly crafted.
What's the story? Ryan Gosling plays the hotshot young campaigner trying to get George Clooney's Governor elected. But when he slips, the 'big league' of US politics threatens to spit him out.
What did we think? Outstanding. As the screw turns, our man is threatened on all sides and the merciless electoral world is illustrated like never before. The tension is built with excellent pacing and the performances are powerful.
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With its Shakespearian title and scenes of high drama peppered through the trailer, The Ides Of March appears to be aiming in the direction of a full-blown commentary on the US political system. But, in keeping with the play (Farragut North) on which it's based, it simply uses the machinations of the electoral world to create fascinating character dynamics.
Everything happens around five people within the world of this democratic primary. There's dirt that can bring team Gosling (campaign secretary) and Clooney (candidate) down. But who will it be pinned on? Evan Rachel Wood (beautiful and brilliant intern), Philip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giamatti (grizzled electoral gurus) all give outstanding performances as the pieces on the chessboard.
It comes down to a simple game of musical chairs. Someone has to take the fall. It makes us wonder about those who have come through this pressure-cooker environment unscathed. Who did they tread on? With sex, threats and blackmail triggering the scripts final convulsions, it all comes down to one scene: a masterful verbal duel between Gosling and Clooney that will have audiences wide-eyed.
Verdict: You don't need to be a West Wing fan. Electrifying.
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