Title: The Ides of March
Year: 2011
Language: English
Country: USA
Genre: Drama
Director: George Clooney
Writers:
George Clooney
Grant Heslov
Beau Willimon
Cast:
Ryan Gosling
George Clooney
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Paul Giamatti
Evan Rachel Wood
Marisa Tomei
Jeffrey Wright
Max Minghella
Jennifer Ehle
Michael Mantell
Gregory Itzin
Rating: 6/10
Political thriller is generally favored by the orthodox mass, as it hinges on an abiding gist: the pitch-dark side of politicians and their marionettes. But as a fact it will never own the impact on an social level to substantially transform the framework, so it only function is to appease the jealousy and complaint from our average joe with a fawningly condescending feeling as such “you know, it’s not easy to be a politician, so give them a break, they are literally assholes, you are much better than them!”. Of course, initially we all gloat to hear that, but time and time again, it may run to the other pole and intrigue an even more essential dislike towards the rotting upper structure and films that endorse the indulgence.
George Clooney’s directional work is on a par with his acting knack, so excellency might be overstated, but he can fabricate an arresting film without any difficulties (GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK. 2005, a 7/10, is stylishly chic while the plot line can shun many entries from a wide audience). In THE IDES OF MARCH, the entire exposition is more feasible to understand while a fatal setback is the corny tenor wrapped with a feather-weight crowd-pleasing script (adapted from Beau Willimon’s play FARRAGUT NORTH). An over-simplified approach to elaborate a political puzzle, it does hurt the film.
The acting is high-end and Ryan Gosling has again triumphantly invaded into anther genre to broaden his bent to be the next virtuoso. Inside the supporting group, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Evan Rachel Wood are my pick of prominence, Clooney himself, Paul Giamatti and Marisa Tomei are all dedicated without any glitch. And a big thumb to the unswervingly composed camerawork!