Ides of March, The

Release Date: October 5, 2011
Director: George Clooney
Play by: Beau Willimon
Screenplay by: George Clooney, Grant Heslov
Cast: George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood

George Clooney and Ryan Gosling star in a power battle so intense it made me shiver. Based on the play Farragut North by Beau Willimon and adapted to the screen by, among others, Clooney, The Ides of March follows Stephen Meyers (Gosling), an intelligent and passionate young man who’s an adviser for Democrat Governor Mike Morris (Clooney).

Morris is trying to become the next presidential candidate, a feat many around him find impossible. But he has a team of men that will make sure it happens.

I really did enjoy this movie, though I can’t really give a detailed explanation here as to why. I guess I could explain a little — I used to study politics. I find it very challenging and somewhat sexy. OK, I won’t beat around the bush, power is sexy. So in The Ides of March I have not one, but two hot men battling it out in a war of wits and politics. I won’t deny it, it was hot. Very hot.

But hotness aside, in my opinion Ryan Gosling hit another home-run with this movie. Everything about his character Stephen Meyers was perfect. His intelligence, wit, sass, the transition from good to evil. Stephen is that young man that idolizes his hero and sticks by him no matter what. He is completely devoted to Governor Mike Morris and he will do just about anything to make sure he wins.

So what happens? Well, as in all political matters — a little bit of corruption, some back-stabbing, loss of faith and blackmail. Add to it one juicy scandal and you have the perfect political cocktail.

As a movie, The Ides of March is fast-paced, clever and interesting. You are shown the back-side of the political game, the highs and the lows — in where even the hero isn’t as good as you thought. I am getting giddy as I recall the movie. It was just that good. A perfect combination of a solid plot, great acting and directing — Clooney knew what he was getting himself into with this movie, and he made sure that it was executed to a T.

I, who know much of the corruption in politics, was left charmed. How can corruption be charming? Well, in the cat and mouse game of The Ides of March, although portraying a bloody chase, it portrayed it so artistically you can’t help but love it.

Rating: ★★★★½ 

Julyssa

Music is all I do: I work in music, I write about music, I listen to music.

11 Responses

  1. Camiele says:

    For one reason or another, I was never a big fan of Ryan Gosling. However, you’re making a brilliant case for me to give him a chance. This movie seems like the perfect film for me to finally see what all the fuss is about Gosling. And, besides, one can never really go wrong with George Clooney, right?

    • amy says:

      @Camiele, oh no. You didn’t just said you weren’t a big Gosling fan~~~ xD Have you ever seen him on any movie? Or should I ask ‘what was your first Gosling movie?’

      • Camiele says:

        @amy, It’s just an old school thing…I just never got over seeing him as Young Hercules. I’m pretty sure that’s what it is. I KNOW…I KNOW..weak! But, it’s kinda hard for me to remember him past the New Mickey Mouse Club and Young Hercules…and The Notebook. You know what, I think it stems mostly from the hype of The Notebook. I’m so anti-chick flick it’s not even a joke and that movie got so much hype. Anyway, I liked him in Remember the Titans, I just never got really into him. Not to say anything bad about him.

    • Julyssa says:

      @Camiele, You don’t like Gosling? We are not friends anymore!

      • Camiele says:

        @Julyssa, OH NOES!!!! It’s not like I don’t like him…it’s just I never really got into him. I think if I see this movie I’ll really be into him. I’m just not. But not for any particular reason, really…as you can plainly see from my lame attemp to explain myself above…

  2. amy says:

    @Camiele, hahaha but The Notebook was kind of a pretty good chick flick. I think it’s the only movie based on a Nicholas Sparks book that’s not truly atrocious haha

    I’m not entirely sure this film will be enough to shake off the MMC image you have, so you might want to try something like Half Nelson or even Drive before you try Ides (or Crazy Stupid Love, LOL).

    Anyway, about Ides… it was pretty run of the mill political film for me, but it was still pretty good with what Julyssa said. I always did picture Clooney running for presidency haha – we all love to hate and hate to love politics xD

    • Camiele says:

      @amy, Yeah. I mean, it’s sorta hard to shake the MMC visage unless the next thing you do is spectacular…and he did Young Hercules. I don’t care how much Julyssa loves it, I thought it was whack :P And especially since he, Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, and some other dude had like a boy group together on the show…I mean you’ve gotta work hard to get away with that one…HaHa.

      Anyway, I did enjoy him in Remembe the Titans, now that I remember that he was in it. He didn’t really do too much, is probably why I forgot he was even in it, but one scene I can remember with him in it was pretty hilarious.

      I actually just hate politics. It’s all BS. Actually running a country takes more than pretty words and promises. Especialy when so much of the government isn’t actually under your control. But, that’s neither here nor there. I’ll check out this one and Drive…maybe. I’m not even gonna TOUCH The Notebook…ain’t gonna happen…HaHa.

      • amy says:

        @Camiele, politics entertain me. I mean, it’s a pain also, but keeping up with it gives you perspective as to where we actually live in. If you don’t follow dirty politics, one might as well think we live in a utopia where… to quote a movie “all things bright and beautiful” LOL

        That helps one deal with depression and expectations of the world, I guess.

        Anyway, I left you a present in the recent reviews ;D

  1. August 17, 2016

    […] to the theater like a fan would. I haven’t followed anythings on her filmography since The Ides of March in 2011, so I had no freaking idea I missed her until […]

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