Movie Review: Ides of March

About: Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling) is the Junior Campaign Manager for Mike Morris (George Clooney), Governor of Pennsylvania and a Democratic presidential candidate, competing against Arkansas Senator Ted Pullman (Michael Mantell). The candidates are campaigning in Ohio. A win for Morris would all but guarantee him the nomination; a win for Pullman would give him vital momentum. Both campaigns are also attempting to enlist the endorsement of North Carolina Democratic Senator Franklin Thompson (Jeffrey Wright) who can give either one 356 pledged Democratic convention delegates and, ultimately, the nomination.

Review: George Clooney as President of the United States? And Ryan Gosling as his press secretary? How could I not watch this movie? The Ides of March is a movie with an impressive cast. Clooney directs, and has co-written the screenplay with Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon. Some of the actors are Marissa Tomei, playing a sassy New York Times reporter, Paul Giamatti as Tom Duffy, a rival campaign manager and Evan Rachel Wood as Molly Stearns, an intern for Morris' campaign were some of the actors that impressed me the most.

Mike Morris, the governor of Pennsylvania in “The Ides of March” is an image of the liberal heart’s desire, and not only because he is played by George Clooney. Morris, who keeps his cool while inflaming the passions of Democratic primary voters, is a committed environmentalist and a forthright secularist who sidesteps questions about his faith by professing that his religion is the United States Constitution. He is against war and in favor of jobs, though the economy figures much less in his fictitious campaign than it will in the real one just around the corner (New York Times).

The movie is slow and dark in a way that captures the viewer. It shows a young idealist at a turning point in his career and his life. Ryan Gosling as Stephen Meyers was amazing at his role. I was touched by his performance. The Ides of March shows the rivalry between the republicans and the democrats and reveals the power games and conspiracies in politics.

To sum up, personally I believe that this is a movie worth watching. It will leave you with many productive thoughts and you will enjoy a movie very well made, with amazing performances from amazing actors. A political drama that's real and intelligent, The Ides Of March is a thrilling watch.

The film is an adaptation of Willimon's 2008 play Farragut North