Stephen Meyers is about to learn the hard way about life in politics, brilliant at his job and second in command to Paul Zara for Governor Mike Morris’ presidential campaign!
This is one of those films that I have tried to watch and get into on many different occasions and it just hasn’t quite happened. But I am now pleased to say that I have and I actually enjoyed it a lot more than I first thought. It is a very engaging drama with a little look at how politics might go, with plenty of hidden agendas and secrets.
In the last couple of years I have really begun to enjoy films that are very dialog heavy and this certainly falls in that category. The thing is though not only is that engaging but the actors we have in the film are well fantastic.
Gosling, Clooney, Giamatti and Hoffman.
Does it really get much better than that? Probably not in all honesty, very impressive line up who have some fantastic scenes and exchanges with each other. Stephen must deal with working with Paul but when rival Tom wants to speak to him and offers him a job to work for them, his naivety to the game they are all playing almost destroys everything. Although not as much as the relationship he starts with Molly who has a rather big secret and sets different events in motion.
The clever thing about this film certainly has to be just when you think the outcome is obviously another curve ball is thrown in and everything is knocked a different way. Not going to spoil anything though, although I guess some of the events you will see coming as I managed to guess them.
Another interesting factor about them film was that we didn’t really get to fully know Mike Morris so never really sure if we would want to vote for him. It is more about the things going on around him, would we like to see Morris as President? Well, we aren’t given enough to be able to answer that. Certainly works in the films favour though.
I thought Ryan Gosling was terrific in the leading role and really more than carries the film with the tremendous support. Firstly from Phillip Seymour Hoffman, who I have to admit is an actor I really haven’t appreciated properly and I will continue to watch the films that I have missed. Paul Giamatti is an actor who I have been very impressed with in recent years so his level of performance in this one does not surprise me at all. Can I just take a moment to really appreciate his voice, he has such a great voice! A more supporting role from Clooney (he co-wrote and directed too) who gives us his usual charismatic performance. We know that we are always going to get that from him.
Overall, a powerful film taking a look behind the scenes in the build up to an election. Maybe being from the UK makes it more interesting especially with how much coverage the most recent US election has had. Honestly you would think it was for our very own President . . . But this film certainly shows the work that must be put in behind the scenes, not only to make the person look good but to hide anything that might hinder chances!
