When it gets dirty in politics, the mess needs to be cleaned up.
George Clooney's latest directorial offering 'The Ides of March' is a very intelligent and a fast paced political thriller. Any film based on this theme of politics shows us how dark the story is and how nasty and conniving can the characters be. This too has the same but what hooked my attention was the ensemble cast's performances.
George Clooney's latest directorial offering 'The Ides of March' is a very intelligent and a fast paced political thriller. Any film based on this theme of politics shows us how dark the story is and how nasty and conniving can the characters be. This too has the same but what hooked my attention was the ensemble cast's performances.
Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling) is the Junior Campaign Manager for Mike Morris (George Clooney), Governor of Pennsylvania and a Democratic presidential candidate. Morris' team also comprises of Senior Campaign Manager Paul Zara (Philip Seymour Hoffman) who is Stephen's boss and mentor. When everything seemed great going for Morris' campaign, Stephen makes a huge blunder by secretly meeting Tom Duffy (Paul Giamatti) who happens to be from the rival camp's campaign manager and also having an affair with an intern Molly Stearns (Evan Rachel Wood). Its after this moment that the story completely goes off to a different level by giving us those unexpected twists in the narrative and the tension in the story is there right till the end. What happens to Stephen Meyers and the other characters thereafter in this thriller is the crux of this high tension-ed gritty political drama.
George Clooney not only acts but also helms the director's chair plus being a part of the riveting screenplay. He definitely knows his art well and this film has brought him back after the splendid 'Good Night and Good Luck'. He enacts the role of the Governor and the Presidential Candidate with poise and command. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giamatti are splendid to watch where one was loyal and the other was scheming.
But the film belongs to Ryan Gosling who has shown a wide mix of emotions throughout the film with such balance that his transformation in the story shows his brilliance in acting. Unbelievable that in this year alone he has come up with 3 smashing performances that easily reveal that he is one of the most versatile actors around.
But the film belongs to Ryan Gosling who has shown a wide mix of emotions throughout the film with such balance that his transformation in the story shows his brilliance in acting. Unbelievable that in this year alone he has come up with 3 smashing performances that easily reveal that he is one of the most versatile actors around.
Go for this intelligently made gritty political thriller and be blown away by some fine acting of seasoned actors and amidst them, the truly versatile Ryan Gosling.
My Rating - 4/5.
My Rating - 4/5.
