Ryan Gosling is cool. It's a point he has proven time and again, and one he continues to prove in his latest political drama, "The Ides of March."
The film follows Stephen Meyers (Gosling), a young and sharp junior campaign manager for Democratic Gov. Mike Morris' (George Clooney) presidential primary campaign in the swing state of Ohio. Meyers believes that Morris is one of the only people who stands for what he values and can sincerely change the country for the better. As a result, he is determined to help Morris win the nomination through a clean and honest campaign.
However, when Meyers gets involved with a young intern, Molly Stearns (Evan Rachel Wood), he begins to realize that everything he believed wasn't quite as it seemed. Hounded by The New York Times reporter Ida Horowicz (Marisa Tomei) and caught between allegiances to his senior campaign manager, Paul Zara (Philip Seymour Hoffman), and rival Democratic campaign manager, Tom Duffy (Paul Giamatti), Meyers is forced to face the deceit and betrayal implicit in politics. These experiences change him forever.
"The Ides of March" has a phenomenal cast. With three Academy Award Winners — Clooney, Hoffman and Tomei — and two nominees — Gosling and Giamatti — the cast truly makes the film.
Clooney is so dignified and charming, viewers will almost wish he was actually running for president. Hoffman's frank, crude and humorous portrayal of a campaign manager provides a window into the harshness of the political arena. As for Giamatti, he plays his role with such cunning and malice that the idea that men like Duffy may really exist in politics is downright frightening.
Nevertheless, the highlight of the film is Gosling, who outshines even this talented cast. The dynamic Gosling is capable of evolving so seamlessly and believably during the film that the audience is almost sure to be enthralled with his character's journey.
The Ohio primary holds harsh realizations for Stephen, who begins as a naive and overly optimistic young man. He learns that it's impossible to trust anyone in politics, and that even the most honest people have dangerous secrets. These new insights send Stephen on a downward moral spiral, and he becomes as cold, calculating and devious as the rest of the film's characters.
Interestingly, none of the characters are likeable in "Ides." Each is more horrible than the next, and all seek to further their own futures while making seemingly honest pledges to do good in the world. The characters stab their friends in the back, lie and set one another up; it's a nefarious mess.
And yet, moviegoers can't help but be thrilled as these political players attempt to bring each other down. Terrible as they are, viewers will appreciate them because they're smooth, bold and villainous. Villains, of course, are experts at conflict — and more than anything, an audience loves a good conflict.
Of course, actors and their characters wouldn't amount to much without a decent script and good direction. Clooney lends far more to "Ides" than his acting skills: The film is produced, directed and written in part by the veteran actor, and the results are impressive.
The flow of the movie is flawless. Even without dramatic, physical action — it is a political drama, after all — "Ides" never drags. Its pace is partially aided by the tense mood and cold tone that run through the film. Together, these two threads keep audiences tightly hooked til the final scene. With these atmospheric devices, Clooney successfully makes politics interesting to the masses.
"Ides" is aesthetically stark, but in a good way. An expert use of contrast keeps the film's visuals interesting; the cold, lifeless scenery of a late Ohio winter nicely juxtaposes images of polished, well−dressed politicians at work. Clooney keeps things crisp and minimal onscreen, and this combination draws the audience in and demands its attention.
Things could have gone very wrong with this script. There are some awkward phrases and an abundance of swear words; handled by the wrong actors, these lines might have put a dent in the film's flow and tone. Luckily, the skilled cast executed the dialogue quite tastefully.
All this said, "Ides" is not perfect. At the last blackout, it's hard to shake the sense that something is missing. Perhaps it's a more arresting climax, or a certain measure of cohesiveness. The answer will differ for everyone, but the feeling that "Ides" needs something more will be nearly universal.
However, even with an unsatisfying ending, "The Ides of March" comes close to being a truly great film. Featuring an amazing cast — and Gosling at his best — it's a film well worth watching.
