The Ides Of March Movie Review

An American Political Drama, this film is an adaptation of Willimon’s 2008 play called, ‘Farragut North’. This film was featured as the opening film at the 68th Venice International Film Festival, at the Haifa International Film Festival and was also shown at the Toronto International Film Festival. ‘The Ides of March’ received wide theatrical release on October 7, 2011.

PLOT:

Ryan Gosling Ryan Gosling is a Canadian artist. Born at 2:34 am >> Read More... as Stephen Myers works as a junior campaign manager for Mike Morris ( George Clooney The long-time “Sexiest Man Alive” and the most “Dr >> Read More... ) who is the Governor of Pennsylvania and a Democratic Presidential candidate. There is Arkansas Senator of Ted Pullman as well in the competition, and they both are trying to fix the patronage of North Carolina Democratic Senator Franklin Thompson ( Jennifer Ehle Born in Winston-Salem, a town in North Carolina in >> Read More... ), who controls 365 convention delegates. Pullman’s campaign manager, Tom ( Paul Giamatti Paul Giamatti is an American actor. He was born in >> Read More... ), asked Stephen for a private meeting and offered him a job. When Stephen tells everything to his senior, Paul Zara ( Philip Seymour Hoffman This man is one of the best actor and known for hi >> Read More... ), Paul reveals that he (Stephen) leaked the meeting with Morris’ approval, and he is disloyal to the organization. Stephen got involved romantically and intermittently with a campaign intern named Molly Stearns, played by Evan Rachel Wood.

After resigning from the previous organization, he serves himself to Tom Duffy. From hereon, the story takes a turns, as Duffy says that his goal was met when Paul Zara fires Stephen. Stephen realized that he has been used, and Duffy apologies to Stephen. Since both sides used him, Stephen goes on an offensive against both as revenge. Meanwhile, Molly also gets to know that Morris fired Stephen, and he will disclose about her pregnancy. And that’s what happened; Stephen met Morris, who is the father of Molly, in a dark room and threatens him by revealing all his affairs. He demands to fire Paul Zara and make him instead, in charge of the campaign.

Now, Stephen is the new senior manager and on his way to an interview with John King when Ida (Marisa Tomie) intervenes. She says that her next story will be about how he, Thompson and their delegates got the promotion.

ANALYSIS:

Storyline is interesting as it is about the power and politics at one’s working environment. The movie was slow before intermission and not elevating itself to the level of political thriller drama. However, in the second half, the real story emerges, and the game of chessboard begins. The movie has a well-written screenplay. And Clooney’s style of visualizing is also mesmerizing.

STAR PERFORMANCES:

Philip Seymour Huffman delivered a superb performance. Ryan Gosling surprised the audience with his excellent performance. Paul Giamatti as Tom also did a fair job. In short, everyone did justice to their character.

WHAT’S THERE?

Good screenplay, good plot, good story, and a smart choice of actors. Based on ground reality, and gives an audience a sense of idealism and loyalty.

WHAT’S NOT THERE?

You’ll find some sequences in the film a bit slow.

VERDICT:

It is worth watching this movie, which presents a great message.