The Ides of March - DVD [2012]

With an all-star lineup this political drama has twists and turns. Good movie.

Is a principle worth the sacrifice of the greater good? What if the agent of that change is not who you thought they were? Questions regularly posed in politically-themed dramatic efforts and so posed in this latest offering from long-time Hollywood favorite George Clooney and the recent favorite of movie-goers Ryan Gosling. Stephen Meyers (played by Gosling) is a veteran of numerous political campaigns and a revered media maestro. He’s in a bitter contest seeking the Democratic Party nomination for his candidate. That being Mike Morris, the governor of Pennsylvania (played by George Clooney). Because of peculiar voting rules, his is most likely going to be defeated by Republican voters who are voting in their opponents’ primary in hopes of seeing a weaker candidate that they could trounce in a general election. With another upcoming primary that, if won, could clinch the nomination. To win the latter contest, however, they would need to strike the kind of deal that the candidate refuses to make on moral grounds. All this is merely the foreground while the background is replete with backstabbing and illicit affairs. I am not one of those who only recently heard of Gosling thanks to much-lauded efforts such as Blue Valentine, Drive, and Crazy, Stupid, Love. I have known of him since the independent 2001 film The Believer. And he is true-to-form here as a man who’s greatest weakness is his faith in his leaders and purpose. Everyone, Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, are doing superior jobs in compelling roles. That said, my tastes run more toward films that show American politics closer to what we wish it was, not what it actually is. Dave, The American President, and The Contender to name three. This isn’t that.

This is one poorly structured and out of focus political film that’s neither a political thriller nor a think piece. It’s just an excuse to lambaste the political process all the while mixing in insane liberal rhetoric at just about every turn. Every stump speech Clooney delivers is filled with the most idiotic liberal platitudes imaginable. I give credit for pointing out Democratic hypocrisy and it’s an interesting look in to the mindset of a left wing campaign but it’s not interesting enough. A great cast is absolutely wasted here and the movie itself offers no insight or depth to any real issue. This movie is as big of a waste of time as any dumb CGI video game movie and that’s the real surprise.

This dvd was very good and carried by great actors along with superb acting.