CINEMA SATURDAY
It’s Special Saturday again and the year 2011 was a special year. At least it was for Ryan Gosling. Gosling was featured in three separate releases that year, almost at risk of overexposure. He pleased audiences with his apathetic performance in Drive and charmed fans everywhere in Crazy Stupid Love with his suave facade; but it was perhaps The Ides of March that solidified his status as a multidimensional performer. With the addition of Gosling to the roster, The Ides of March was a mixture of movie stars and character actors that only helped raise his profile on the big stage.
The Ides of March was a mixture of movie stars and character actors that only helped raise his profile on the big stage.
This politicized drama would certainly hold up now especially. The world has become all the more politicized due to the evolution of social media though this film leaves that out. No, the main focus here is on the politics that happen behind the scenes of election campaigns. Gosling plays ‘Stephen’, an assistant campaign manager who is ambitious and an idealistic believer in his candidate Governor Mike Morris (George Clooney). Their campaign is finishing up in the Ohio Primary when things begin to go south, both for the campaign and for Stephen. Inner conflicts ensue, outside forces interfere, and Stephen becomes embroiled in issues that could mean the end of the campaign as well as his career. In addition to playing Governor Morris, George Clooney directs this politically charged tour de force with the help of some distinguished names in the industry.
Clooney’s directing is pretty standard, as this is an actor’s movie. Everything about the script caters to the performers and in how the audience is meant to perceive everyone. The casting was the most critical part and it did not fail. With Gosling at the lead and the assistance of Paul Giamatti, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Evan Rachel Wood, and Marissa Tomei, everyone radiates in every scene when it’s their turn to showcase their chops. Gosling is definitely more than creditworthy in this, but he’s also highly elevated by the rest of the talent in the room too. Giamatti is the opposing candidate’s manager, and he performs with a cunning quality of which only he was worthy. Hoffman is ‘Paul’, the head campaign manager, and honestly, what can be said about Hoffman that hasn’t already been said? As usual he brings all of the energy into every scene, somehow able to draw most of the attention with his otherworldly acting ability. Clooney is admirable as Governor Morris almost selling the idea that he really could be running for President. His speeches in the film are either his personal political opinions or of those he himself would vote for, making it all the more convincing on his part.
Anyone who appreciates the acting craft should likely appreciate this. This special assembly of thespians doesn’t come around often enough, and if it does, it’s not usually the type of movie that places priority on the performances. Well just be advised, because The Ides of March is the right kind of party.
