The Ides of March is the new political drama starring an A-list ensemble cast headed by Ryan Gosling (Stephen Meyers). George Clooney plays Governor Mike Morris, plus he directed and co-wrote the script based on the play, Farragut North (Beau Willimon). The playwright had real life material to work into the play which is loosely based on the 2004 Howard Dean campaign. Mr. Willimon also worked on Hillary Clinton’s 2008 campaign. Later in the movie you will see a very familiar style of poster that may bring a smile or even a chuckle as it did to me. An homage to another presidential candidate perhaps?
IMHO, The Ides of March is this season’s The Social Network or even Doubt (also based on a play). The name implies a Julius Caesar-type betrayal but this drama is set in current day Ohio as Mike Morris makes strides to be the next president. Stephen Meyers is an idealistic press secretary who seems to walk around wearing rose colored glasses. That is until; his world is forever changed by one incident, and then snowballs. Fans of West Wing, Aaron Sorkin, All The Presidents Men and The Candidate won’t be disappointed. Maybe even a little All About Eve! There are such great monologues (i.e. characters Paul Zara and Tom Duffy) and one line zingers… they will stick with you long after the movie has finished. My recommendation is to see it a second time, which I did and thoroughly enjoyed.
Philip Seymour Hoffman (Paul Zara), Paul Giamatti (Tom Duffy), Evan Rachel Wood (Molly Stearns), Marisa Tomei (Ida Horowicz), Jeffrey Wright, (Senator Thompson), Max Minghella (Ben Harpen) and Jennifer Ehle (Cindy Morris) round out the rest of the cast. Kudos to the casting director who obtained all this wonderful talent. The Ides of March is playing now at a theatre near you. My guess is it will be around for a while and will get Academy Award nominations.
That’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it.
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