The Ides of March
Political drama directed by George Clooney (Goodnight and Good Luck), about an idealistic staffer (Ryan Gosling) working for a newbie presidential candidate (Clooney) who gets a crash course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail. Takes place during the frantic last days before a heavily contested Ohio presidential primary. Paul Giamatti, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Marisa Tomei also star.
Based on the play Farragut North by Beau Willimon, Clooney decided to change the title to The Ides of March, based on the day (March 15) that Julius Caesar was assassinated. In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, before being stabbed to death, Julius Caesar is told by a soothsayer: "Beware the ides of March".
- Director:
- George Clooney ('Leatherheads', 'Goodnight, and Good Luck', 'Confessions of a Dangerous Mind')
- Writer:
- George ClooneyGrant Heslov
- Cast:
- George ClooneyRyan GoslingPaul GiamattiPhilip Seymour HoffmanMarisa TomeiEvan Rachel WoodJeffrey Wright
Reviews & comments
A topical taut political thriller
After many months of flagging confidence in today's US film industry's ability to make a good movie, this one restored our perception. This is the story of a step on the path to the presidency of the United States. It centres on an intense Democratic Party primary in Ohio where campaign press secretary (Ryan Gosling) by chance learns of the possibility of a...
Gosling becomes a Gander.
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...
Extract from theaterofthecommonman.com
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...
Nice try, Guv.
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...
The Ides of March, April, May & June
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...
Curious George
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...
Variety
press[An] intriguing but overly portentous drama, which seems far more taken with its own cynicism than most viewers will be.
USA Today
pressIt grows a little overheated but works particularly well as a morality tale about power and its tendency to corrupt absolutely.
Roger Ebert
pressThe movie's strength is in the acting, with Gosling once again playing a character with an insistent presence.
New York Post
pressSmart and solidly entertaining, thanks to one of the year's top ensemble casts working at the top of its game.
Los Angeles Times
pressA strong cast and smart dialogue, but the plot eventually wears thin.
IndieWire
pressHas nothing new to offer in its portrait of the campaign trail, and doesn’t seem quite sure what story it really wants to tell.
Empire Magazine
pressEntertaining while you're watching it but, as deceptive as a party's election promises, there's less to it than meets the eye.
Variety
press[An] intriguing but overly portentous drama, which seems far more taken with its own cynicism than most viewers will be.
USA Today
pressIt grows a little overheated but works particularly well as a morality tale about power and its tendency to corrupt absolutely.
Roger Ebert
pressThe movie's strength is in the acting, with Gosling once again playing a character with an insistent presence.
New York Post
pressSmart and solidly entertaining, thanks to one of the year's top ensemble casts working at the top of its game.
Los Angeles Times
pressA strong cast and smart dialogue, but the plot eventually wears thin.
IndieWire
pressHas nothing new to offer in its portrait of the campaign trail, and doesn’t seem quite sure what story it really wants to tell.
Empire Magazine
pressEntertaining while you're watching it but, as deceptive as a party's election promises, there's less to it than meets the eye.
A topical taut political thriller
After many months of flagging confidence in today's US film industry's ability to make a good movie, this one restored our perception. This is the story of a step on the path to the presidency of the United States. It centres on an intense Democratic Party primary in Ohio where campaign press secretary (Ryan Gosling) by chance learns of the possibility of...
Gosling becomes a Gander.
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...
Extract from theaterofthecommonman.com
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...
Nice try, Guv.
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...
The Ides of March, April, May & June
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...
Curious George
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...
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