The Ides of March 2011

Extract from theaterofthecommonman.com

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Extact from theaterofthecommonman.com

I'm a sucker for political melodrama and The Ides of March is exactly that. With what appears to be a broad examination of backroom electioneering, the film, whether intentional or not holds a mirror up to the on-going credibility issues faced by the US Congress and Senate. You only have to look at the current republican primary's to understand the message the film is trying to portray, that being, political associate's maybe crooks but the politicians themselves can be criminal.

After our earlier release of The Descendants, The Ides of March brings mega star Clooney back to New Zealand screens for the 2nd time within a month. These two completely contrasting roles offer weight to Clooney's ever increasing range as an actor. As Writer / Director he also brings his sophisticated artistic vision back into the spotlight. Clooney's exceptional 2005 film Good Night and Good Luck quickly propelled him from lowly Hollywood actor to bona fide auteur. A number of actors have tried to run duel careers with some doing ok and others floundering. With The Ides of March, Clooney has cemented himself within that rare group of exceptional actors going onto construct phenomenal films.

Curious George

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This is an old-fashioned 1950s behind-the-scenes political thriller in which Clooney again doffs his director's hat to films such as Otto Preminger's "Advise & Consent" or Sidney Lumet's political cold war thriller, "Fail-Safe." And if you like that kind of theatrical, blow-by-blow, wordy political theatre-play-on-film you'll love this. This is the Clooney of "Goodnight, and Good Luck" rather than "Oceans 11."
It's all very worthy and the cast are solid, if not sparkling. From Ryan Gosling, Paul Giamatti, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, Jeffrey Wright and Clooney himself, all do a great service - but it never involves. It never seems to shake those theatrical roots. If you like this kind of story, THE WEST WING did it much better on TV, or try Travolta in the excellent Clinton-based movie, "Primary Colors." Nonetheless, a good, solid effort, but a bit too staid, old-fashioned and theatrical for my tastes. But you gotta admire anyone in Hollywood these days who even attempts a grown-up adult movie and this makes an interesting companion piece to the British throwback, "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy." And hey, why am I complaining about Clooney delivering a theatrical film? Heck, he didn't call it "The Ides of March" for nothing!

The Ides of March, April, May & June

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I really dont have much to say about it, just a normal look into politics and the 'behind the scenes' stuff that could go on in a election race. The acting from both Ryan Gosling and of cos George Clooney was superb. Not really my thing, but I still found it a good watch. Like some other films reecently, it appeared to be about the choices we make and the results.
Genre : drama, polictical
3/5 : It was a good flick, and thought it was good value.

Nice try, Guv.

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Classy, intelligent, and bereft of even a single real surprise - except, perhaps, that someone as outspoken as Mr. Clooney should produce such a politically tame "political thriller" (hedging his bets on how the average American viewers' own politics might taint their interpretation of the movie, perhaps?). There's entertainment value in watching this cast enjoy some of the juicier, Sorkin-esque writing, but it ultimately lacks the vital edge and urgency of the earlier classics it reveres. Like the stereotypical politician, it puts on a slick show with interesting rhetoric and persuasive sentiment... but, come crunch time, never quite delivers on the big promises.

Gosling becomes a Gander.

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This is a grown up flick about political power players in which Ryan Gosling outshines everyone as he struggles to find a balance between his morals and his need to succeed. Outstanding performance, as always, by Philip Seymour Hoffman as his mentor and nemesis. As other reviewers have noted there is nothing new about this story and it barely qualifies as a thriller but George Clooneys direction makes for a gripping story. This flick shows that Gosling is one of the best actors of his generation if not THE best as we see him develop from an idealistic boy to a corrupt political player.
Paul Giametti and Evan Rachel wood can't quite match the the watchability of Hoffman and Gosling but George Clooney sparkles in a relatively small, if important, role. This one's for the grown-ups.