The Ides Of March
Starring: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Evan Rachel Wood
Director: George Clooney
Rating: 4.5/5
It has been three years since we have seen George Clooney in the director's chair but this week he tackles his first contemporary piece with The Ides of March.
The Ides of March takes place during the frantic last days before a heavily contested Ohio presidential primary
When an up-and-coming campaign press secretary (Gosling) finds himself involved in a political scandal that threatens to upend his candidate's shot at the presidency.
Before we get onto the performances and the script and all that jazz firstly The Ides of March is a beautiful looking movie.
Clooney has captured some great images as he shows that sometimes silence is more powerful than words.
The American flag backdrop to the argument between Paul and Stephen, the silences between Mike and Stephen as they argue in a kitchen towards the end of the movie are two prime examples.
It's the looks and the emotions that he captures, without uttering s single word, which are just so powerful; not to mention stunning.
It's great to see Clooney tackle something set in modern day and this is one of the best political thrillers of the day.
The acting is just first class once again there is a superb turn from Ryan Gosling he is just this major presence whenever he is on the screen - he just exudes this something that makes him compelling to watch.
Clooney, Giamatti and Hoffman are also superb as they weave their political web - portraying one side of themselves while really being someone else.
What is so great about this story is that no one is painted as the hero and no one is the villain, which is quite refreshing, they are all just as bad, and corrupt in a way, as each other.
But this really shows off the dark side of politics the underhand deals, the slice of your soul that you have to sell in order to be able to serve a greater good.
Clooney has once again teamed up with writing partner Grant Heslov and together they have produced a very smart, slick, thrilling script that has brought the best out of a super talented cast.
The movie doesn't re-invent the wheel when it comes to this genre but it really hold a mirror up to the world in which is set and raises a lot of question of the system and the people in it.
Clooney is quickly becoming a powerhouse when it comes to filmmaking - Oscar nomination anyone?
The Ides of March is out now
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Tagged in George Clooney