The Ides of March

A political thriller taking its name from Julius Caesar’s assassination hardly sounds like a nice fluffy film, suggesting instead a dark murky tale of betrayal and deceit. But not only is The Ides of March just this, but it is also a film with a lot going for it, clearly marking itself out as an Oscar wannabe. With its important subject matter and a phenomenal cast featuring Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti and George Clooney (who also directs) all the evidence suggests that The Ides of March may be something special.

Taking place during an Ohio democratic primary, the film follows the idealistic junior campaign manager Steven (Ryan Gosling) as things start to go wrong and loyalties and promises are broken as he tries to help Governor Morris (Clooney), a presidential candidate. Though this material is genuinely interesting, the film is flawed, as is apparent from the outset as when Steven steps up to the microphone it feels more like a stage play then a something cinematic, a problem harking back to its origins in the Beau Williamson’s stage play Farragut North; and it’s something the film never manages to overcome. The script and story are also flawed as the film seems to take a while to decide upon whether to be a straight drama or a thriller, before finally working itself out towards the end when it moves into edgier, darker territory and is all the better for it.

Whilst it is clearly flawed, does it still work? Well, thanks to its cast and some excellent dialogue it does. Ryan Gosling’s character arc feels complex and believable and we never doubt him as he uncovers dark secrets and the truth of the way politics and presidents work. The supporting cast is every bit as good; Clooney has some good scenes and makes for a strong and believable politician, and Evan Rachel Wood’s role as a naive and trusting intern is great. Yet it’s the two rival campaign managers that stand out. Paul Giamatti steals his scenes as a great Machiavellian head of the rival campaign who clearly can never be trusted and will do anything to win. Steven’s boss Paul (Philip Seymour Hoffman), meanwhile, gives a lovely little performance as a troubled old hand in the profession bagged down with cynicism and obsessed with loyalty, which he gives a terrific speech on and likewise steals most of his scenes. It is just a shame almost that their roles are so small and even more so that they never appear opposite one another.

The Ides of March is therefore, thanks to a great cast, still definitely worth watching as their acting keeps you hooked and the subject matter of deals, deceit and sacrificed dreams and ideals is very interesting even to a non-American audience. It is just that its flaws detract from it considerably as it does not fit together as well as it might, and you feel it could have been better. That said it is a very solid, enjoyable and interesting piece of work.

See The Ides of March at York City Screen. For more information visit http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/York_Picturehouse/

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