The Ides of March Review: Mr. Clooney Goes to Washington

Political discourse has enjoyed its fair share in the spotlight courtesy of historical frequency and appearances in various literary and cinematic works, and the taut and churning drama The Ides of March uses references across the board to convey its modern-day tale of a hotly contested presidential primary. While Julius Caesar may have suffered a deadlier fate than George Clooney’s charismatic candidate, Pennsylvania Governor Mike Morris, the duplicitous nature of politics and cutthroat maneuvers within the machinations of a high-profile campaign remain a common, albeit redundant, thread throughout Ides, Clooney’s fourth outing as auteur.

Criers of partisan slant needn’t worry, as Clooney’s left-leaning efforts in and out of the glitterati’s eye aren’t on display here, at least not once the ball gets rolling. At first glance, it appears obvious why Ides had been originally planned as a 2008 production, nestled comfortably within the sweeping hope much of the country had during the campaign and eventual election of now-President Obama. Now, in the midst of equally widespread disillusionment toward the stagnant economy and diminishing optimism heading into the 2012 races, Ides has a far more cynical atmosphere surrounding its release.

Conveniently, this real-life narrative echoes that of the film’s, which follows Morris and his staff as they prepare for a crucial Democratic primary in Ohio, where Morris’ idealistic and staunchly progressive platform is facing possible upset by his more centrist opponent, Senator Pullman (Michael Mantell). Morris’ hotshot young press secretary Stephen Myers (the increasingly ubiquitous Ryan Gosling) and gruff, seasoned adviser Paul Zara (Philip Seymour Hoffman, superb) serve as bookended support for Morris, providing both wide-eyed innovation and realistic, seasoned wisdom, respectively. Myers’ passion for his work is rooted in the sincere belief in Morris’ potential to “change people’s lives”; indeed, he even tells nubile intern Molly Stearns (Evan Rachel Wood) that he “drank the Kool-Aid, and it’s delicious.”

When rival campaign manager Tom Duffy (the fantastic Paul Giamatti, Machiavellian antithesis to Hoffman’s moral compass) attempts to lure Myers to Pullman’s team, however, a chain reaction of ethical dilemmas and their ensuing fallout ignite shrewd instincts for the ruthless necessities of politics Myers never thought he had, or would need to implement. Upon Myers’ awakening webegin to also witness the unraveling of Morris’ own gleaming exterior, revealing just another stumping politician with plenty to hide. Jeffrey Wright is compelling in an underutilized role as a U.S. Senator whose crucial endorsement would provide the lucky candidate with a case-closing number of delegates, all for the small price of a coveted cabinet position. Marisa Tomei also pops up now and again as a persistent New York Times reporter with self-serving motives too obvious to be considered ulterior. Wood excels as Stearns, a privileged young daughter of political pedigree whose poor decisions ultimately threaten the Morris campaign far more than dreaded punditry or fluctuating poll numbers ever could.

Clooney and longtime business partner Grant Heslov adapted Ides from Beau Willimon’s award-winning 2008 play Farragut North, a loose commentary on the failed campaign of 2004 presidential candidate Howard Dean (remember him?). Their take on the material is certainly fleshed out, considering the Morris character in the play is never even seen, but the film’s plot twists, surely intended to shock, merely echo what a desensitized and reproachful American public already knows. Attempting to expose the overall corruption within the American government and political structure, and then market it as groundbreaking information simply reads stale, especially within the confines of an otherwise deftly crafted framework. Several particular scenes do provide tense emotional resonance, including the final showdown between Myers and Morris inside a restaurant kitchen, but Hoffman’s Paul Zara carries the greatest weight of betrayal when his dogged honesty finally unravels his success in a deceitful business. Watching him calmly rip the backstabbing Myers a new one is a wonder to behold. Et tu, Gosling?

Despite its smooth pace, outstanding ensemble of actors, and engaging structure, The Ides of March ultimately suffers from a lack of freshness in its content. Perhaps with the sharp dialogue of Aaron Sorkin or the keen political knack of Gore Vidal, Clooney would have been able to raise questions that haven’t already been asked. All the President’s Men, this is not.

Images courtesy of Saeed Adyani/Ides Film Holdings/Sony Pictures Entertainment.