With our current political climate, I like many other people out there are being bombarded with about a billion fucking primaries that ultimately mean shit in the end. I guess to temper my enthusiasm for politics, I will talk about a movie I previously reviewed and considering it is getting some award nods here and there, it makes for a good post.
The Ides of March is a solid film, one that I really enjoyed watching for the slow pacing and quiet, somber acting from the lead Ryan Gosling. The film’s strong points come out when you least expect it, either from a quiet scene which has Gosling looking an answer amidst his decay or the tension filled scenes of backroom politics. It’s a strong script which is carried to perfection by the stunning cast of actors involved with the film. Gosling, Clooney, Hoffman, Giamatti, and even Tomei all have a guiding hand in where the focus of the film leads us to. It’s a brilliantly cast film with a lot of silent, stoic roles, along with the occasional dramatic outburst. All the emotional scenes are framed with a sense of urgency, as the go go side of politics is in effect since the outcome of the election hinges on what happens next. While I said it was a slow pace film earlier, I mean that the buildup to the final revelation or conclusion takes a bit to get to. The exposition scenes and meetings between rivals are filled with an underlying current of rage and distrust. All of this works to the benefit of the film.
*image via (1)
Overall The Ides of March is a great film, one that I think really brings to light what goes into politics and running for office. It’s all about who you trust and who you surround yourself with. People’s lives all hinge on your success and people become jaded after being in the business politics and even lying. The haggardness of the veterans is channeled onto the young rookie campaign leaders who are so idealistic that they lose sight that this is a game. There are winners and losers in all of this. Hopes and dreams are tied to candidates and the shocking truth about what goes on to win might not make you a humble person in the end.
I have attached my previous review of the film which will offer a bit more to the discussion and my thoughts about overall acting and story of The Ides of March. Godspeed to those who follow politics closely, it’s a bit of a wake up call.
The Ides of March is about the deconstruction of our moral ethics. It’s about a young, bright-eyed political consultant played by the Ryan Gosling named Stephen Meyers. He is the consultant to Gov. Mike Morris (George Clooney) who is campaigning in Ohio for the Democratic nomination. Meyers is working with Paul Zara (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) who is a veteran campaign consultant and in the Senior position of the campaign. Meyers is vetted by a rival consultant to their other democratic opponent. Duffy (Paul Giamatti) asks to meet with Meyers in hopes to get him to join their campaign which is poised to take off after some closed-door dealings with potential senators and press.
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