REVIEW: THE IDES OF MARCH

4.5/5

Be aware.

15, 101 Minutes. Starring: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, Jeffrey Wright & Evan Rachel Wood. Director: George Clooney. Screenwriter: George Clooney,Grant Heslov & Beau Willimon.

Politics is a dirty game and Ryan Gosling, Paul Giamatti, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood and Jeffrey Wright all campaign for this in George Clooney's new political thriller based on the book 'Farragut North' by Beau Willimon. If you loved 'Michael Clayton' than be aware of 'The Ides Of March' perfectly placed this November, a year before the big election month. This movie is just the ticket coming in this fall to hit the ballot for best movie of the year. It's got our vote.

This clinically cold chiller is slick, stylish and shot sublimely. Clooney's charisma and charm offers his Senator character a chance at presidency, riding on the campaign trail of a Kennedy and Obama esque change. Still it's Gosling who is pulling all the strings like Don Corleone, looking Clooney cool, calm and collected on the surface but working hard underneath the surface like a swan. This cabinet is full of even more talent. Marisa Tomei, Jeffrey Wright and Evan Rachel Wood are great supporting cast additions that make this Clooney Administration that much stronger. In addition the trail off talent is helped and certified by current leading A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio who casts his ballot as executive producer. Still the real power move is bringing in fellow Oscar certified, middle-aged, in their prime, like-minded legends Paul Giamatti and Phillip Seymour Hoffman to the fold. These two heavyweights pack an emotional punch and bring more dialogue debate to this dramatic thriller that chooses a suit and a tie over guns and explosions for its action.

The thing about this thriller is that it twists and turns through greed, blackmail, dishonor and betrayal so much that it goes beyond politics as usual and heads towards classic cinema. Just when you think things are on the up and up, things take a dip. This is all directed extremely well, one camera shot of a discussion in a car is so taught and tense you think someones going to get shot...don't worry though its much worse than that and for the better of the picture. As the drama is turned up a notch, who needs violence when we've got grown men shouting and staring each other down? These are the true battles for power.

Clooney is formidable even if his character takes the background. Still, this is his picture in front of and behind the lens. It's Gosling who's in the forefront however even though his character works behind Clooney's scenes. You can even see from the innovative and impressive 'Time' Magazine film poster that the faces are changing. Gosling takes over this picture with his vision to be the next great cover-boy, A-lister. He brings the charisma and charm that won him over in 'Crazy, Stupid, Love' and the sinister, silent-treatment acting that made him and 'Drive' huge. Now putting this all together and motoring forward he gives his best performance of his incredible year, if not his career. Hollywood may still be Clooney's world, but over the next four years people will be chanting Ryan Gosling's name more. Soon this elect will enter the elite of presidential leading men. Right now the polls are his and this is just the primary. Just wait for his election day. TIM DAVID HARVEY.