Sometimes you see a film and just now instantly that it will be an Oscar winner… The Ides Of March is one such film. So often political thrillers fail but with four of the best male actors floating around at the moment in the lead roles and a sensational script that has you gasping for more, The Ides Of March isn’t your typical political thriller.
Steven Meyers (Ryan Gosling – Crazy, Stupid, Love., Drive) has landed his dream job. The political tragic is acting as an advisor for Governor Mike Morris (George Clooney – The Descendants, The American) who is headed for the White House. With Paul Zara (Philip Seymour Hoffman – Moneyball, Jack Goes Boating) acting as his mentor the team are more than ready to take on the opposition including Tom Duffy (Paul Giamatti – The Hangover Part II, Win Win) and journalist, Ida Horowicz (Marisa Tomei – Crazy Stupid Love, The Lincoln Lawyer) who also veils herself as a friend. With the campaign neck and neck the last thing Steven needs is a speed hump, but is exactly what occurs when he meets young intern, Molly Stearn (Evan Rachel Wood – TV’S True Blood & Mildred Pierce).
Normally political thrillers can be dull and boring but that isn’t the case her. With Clooney (Leatherheads, Good Night & Good Luck) in the director’s seat the film seems to draw you in and even those that know very little about American politics will find this an absolute gem… it is guaranteed to see Mr. Clooney placed in the same realm as Clint Eastwood (Hereafter, Invictus) and Ben Affleck (The Town, Gone Baby Gone) as actors who are also brilliant directors.
The script’s strength lies in the suspense and drama it is able to conjure up using dialogue driven scenes rather than full-on action sequences. It’ll be an eye-opener for some because I can guarantee the suspense here is equal to any car-chase (or etc.) that you’ll ever see in your life. And while not giving too much away the scene where Stephen confronts Mike has you really fearing for Stephen’s life. The script also has an uncanny way of making you think that the real suspense is whether or not Mike will win, then it hits you with a sledgehammer between the eyes.
The acting in The Ides Of March is top notch, even Marisa Tomei reminds Hollywood that she has some genuine talent. However, the big winner is Ryan Gosling. If Drive and Blue Valentine hadn’t already convinced you that he has talent than his performance here will. He is brilliant throughout the film with a performance that will be stuck in my mind for a long time to come… he really is one of the best dramatic actors of the moment, and you feel that will be revealed to all when he takes home an Oscar on Oscar night.
The Ides Of March is one of the best films to come out of America for quite a while. With a sensational cast and one of the best scripts ever written this is one film that you can’t miss.
Year: 2011
Director: George Clooney
Stars: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei
Classification: M
Runtime: 101 mins
Rating: 
Out on DVD/Blu-Ray 5th April 2012