Film: The Ides of March

GENRE: Drama
RATING: R for strong language
RUNTIME: 1 hours and 41 minutes
STARRING: Ryan Gosling (Crazy Stupid Love, Fracture)
George Clooney (Michael Clayton, Up in the Air)
DIRECTOR: George Clooney (Good Night & Good Luck)
WRITERS: Clooney & Grant Heslov (Good Night & Good Luck)
PLOT: A political consultant finds himself in dirty politics trying to help an idealistic governor trying to run for president. Scandal ensues.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:
1 I often get Philip Seymour Hoffman (Doubt) and Paul Giamatti (Sideways) mixed up. It’s nice to see them in the same film. They both give great performances. Of course, Gosling and Clooney also bring some awesome acting to the screen. Great all around.
2 Clooney and Heslov wrote a captivating script. It moves along like a Sorkin-inspired West Wing episode. The twists work well, the dialogue is fresh and the plot is nicely paced.
3 I wish there were some more creative shots in this film. There are a couple like the conversation in front of the giant flag but Good Night and Good Luck had much more artistic cinematography.
4 I guess Clooney is assuming that the average moviegoer knows what The Ides of March refer to. It’s the prediction of Julius Caesar’s assassination in case you’re wondering too.
5 Love the poster. Looks cool and interesting.

RECOMMENDATION: See it on DVD
UPCOMING REVIEWS: In Time