Movie Review: ‘The Ides of March’

“Beware the Ides of March,” the soothsayer warns.

George Clooney’s brilliantly titled new political epic dances on the front lines of a presidential primary, while a new order comes to power.

Stephen Meyers, played by Ryan Gosling, is a yuppie campaign manager on the trail of presidential hopeful Pennsylvania Governor Mike Morris, played by George Clooney.

With the Obama change artwork prominently displayed as Governor Morris’ campaign poster of choice, it’s hard not to place the film in our own realm. And with the 2012 elections looming, issues pertinent to the elections aren’t skipped.

“My religion is the constitution of the United States,” Governor Morris says, dodging questions of religious ties.

He rallies the best way to fight the war on terror is to stop needing their product and plans to bring in alternative fuel sources.

Governor Morris is meant to sound like the ideal candidate; it’s because he is the quintessential politician. Which means corruption lurking below his suave surface is unquestionable.

Clooney’s part in the film, while being the main character, is more director than actor. His scenes are poignant, as they always are, but in this film he steps back and lets the rest of the cast fill its roles.

And the entire cast does indeed.

Filled out by Philip Seymour Hoffman (Paul Zara), Paul Giamatti (Tom Duffy), Marisa Tomei (Ida Horowicz) and the alluring Evan Rachel Wood (Molly Stearns), each player is indispensable in their part.

Based on the play “Farragut North,” by Beau Willimon, which is named after a prominent lobbying Washington Metro station, the film is kin to the stage, as it is an actor’s film with an insightful script.

A tense score by Alexandre Desplat is interwoven beautifully into the film’s flawless cinematography.

While the soundtrack teases what will follow, a moody prolonged shot of Stephen silhouetted against a vast American flag is evoked.

But, as the Shakespearean title suggests, evil is looming, and with an uroboros symbol on the poster of the film, it isn’t going to be pleasant.

When Stephen discovers a campaign secret, the faith he had in the Governor and everyone on the staff comes into question.

“In politics, loyalty is the only currency,” Paul Zara (Hoffman) says to Stephen.

As Stephen loses his vigor and seeks revenge on the Morris campaign, he learns there is no currency in politics; anyone can be bought.

“You stay in this business long enough, you get jaded and cynical,” Tom Duffy (Giamatti) says to Stephen.

The film’s venal events are tragic enough, and unsettling, however habitual they may be.

But, welcome to Washington, at least L.A.’s Washington. Which happens to bear more than a vague semblance to its counterpart.

Grade: A-