The Ides Of March

Simmering with tension

George Clooney conjures some striking cinematography and quality supporting acting from the ever-reliable Philip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giamatti to produce an engaging political drama that asks some very pertinent questions. But the themes may be too US-centric for Brit audiences, and the human dramas underneath are a little too predictable to carry the film. 

The hype…
That man Ryan Gosling returns in a starring role again, this time as an ambitious junior campaign manager fighting to get his senator (George Clooney) into the presidential election. With Clooney himself at the helm, and able bodies Paul Giamatti, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Marisa Tomei also on board, we're expecting a feast of thesp grandstanding in this political thriller.

The story…
Governor Mike Morris (George Clooney) is locked in a battle with Senator Pullman to run for President as the official Democratic candidate. More precisely, campaign manager Paul Zara (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and his idealistic assistant Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling) are battling Pullman's cynical campaign manager Tom Duffy (Paul Giamatti), who is not above some dirty tricks to get to the top.

As the campaign heats up, Stephen's unwavering belief in his fight for 'the right man' will be sorely tested by temptation, underhand tricks and more than a few uncomfortable revelations about those who he views with such high esteem.

Can he come through with his high-fallutin' values intact? Probably not. But maybe he'll be able to limit the damage done to his idol, and to certain unfortunate victims caught in the cross-fire.... maybe.

The breakdown…
So the story, set in the middle of a spin-driven political showdown, begins with an idealistic man fighting for what he thinks is right. Anyone guess where this one's going?

The predictability of the plot severely undermines the point being made by Clooney in his message-laden drama. If there was just one or two shocking turns, or characters who emerged from the shadows to complete a stunning coup or deliver a blistering monologue, there'd be something exciting about this film. But alas, it's not so.

That's not to say there's nothing to enjoy, because there certainly is.

The slow pacing, while not designed to keep the thrill-o-meter high, creates a slowly-building sense of tension that adds impetus to the events unfolding before us. And when combined with the weighted, deliberate performances of Seymour Hoffman and Giamatti as the campaign bigwigs, we're given the impression of an epic game of chess. As with the noble board game, astute observers might see a few moves ahead, but they'll still be gripped.

At the heart of the battle, Ryan Gosling's Stephen struggles to stop his world from crumbling at any given moment. The juxtaposition of his vulnerable, naive moral values and his imperious talent for media manoeuvring make for a compelling performance, and one doomed for destruction.

The trouble comes in the form of  the even younger, and even more naive intern Molly (Evan Rachel Wood) who throws a spanner in the works with nothing more than stunning good looks and a fiery nature. If only the ensuing inferno were a bit more explosive.

Still, with some great performances, emphasised by superb cinematography from Phedon Papamichael (the man behind 'Walk The Line' and 'W'), who has a wonderful eye for stark contrast and a striking image, there's enough here to keep the right audience gripped.

The verdict…
An engaging watch that re-tells us the old news that politics corrupts, this taut, intense political drama simmers with tension. Unfortunately, it never quite explodes into the blistering political commentary it promises.

Rating: 3/5

'The Ides Of March' is due to be released in the UK on 28 October. Certificate: 15