Review of The Ides of March (2011) by James S — 23 Jun 2012

An excellent film that appeals to me as a political junkie. There are many terms that are thrown around that offer 'bonus content' for us geeks, but the film also works well for casual viewing. The plot twists are unexpected, the motivations are clear, and the writing is spot-on.

The acting is well-done, although Hoffman seems to swing between emotional extremes. George Clooney plays the part of likeable presidential candidate particularly well, until the very end when he undergoes a dramatic scene with Gosling. Gosling himself was a solid lead, and Giamatti did very well on the other side of the field.

While this film is primarily a drama, it never forgets its political backdrop. If you find this interesting, feel free to learn more about the American political process (I got hooked by watching The Daily Show).