Ides of March

Politics Perverse Perverted Pollution - Down and Dirty
Ides of March, R, ****1/2, Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, Rachel Wood. Columjbia film. Director George Clooney. Length 100 minutes.

The façade of politics and all the secrets, lies, and deception can be difficult to recognize. Ohio is a barometer for the political outcome of presidential elections. It seems to have a cross section of population and demographics which allow semi-accurate political outcomes to be predicted.
“Ides of March” is about the political primary in Ohio of the democratic presidential candidate Governor Morris (George Clooney). Morris is a straight talking politician who believes he can make a difference in Washington. His ability to give direct answers and allow the people to make up their minds about his sometimes controversial ideas connects with many individuals.
However, he does need the endorsement of Senator Thompson (Jeffrey Wright). The endorsement should put Governor Morris over the top. However, the wheeling and dealing has to be honed in order to bring all the parts together.
Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling) is a hot shot press consultant for Morris giving advice and working hard for a man he believes to be genuine.
Paul Zara (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) is the campaign manager for Morris. Tom Duffy (Paul Giamatti) is the campaign manager for Senator Pullman who is Morris’ democratic opponent in the primary.
The audience witnesses the dirty tricks taking place in campaigns involving competition along with some extremely horrible information which surfaces from a well kept secret deep inside the dark side. This results in bringing out the cover-up scenario.
The most interesting portion of this film brings out the worst in many people. It does not compromise as some stories do in order to make the audience feel good. “Ides of March” takes the audience down the road of dark secrets. At that point, we see what the politics of today is all about.
It seems that politicians and individuals climbing the ladder of success do not mind getting their hands dirty. Or in this case filthy. Politics makes strange bedfellows. Temptation and backroom dealing does bring out the worst in people.
Only the strong survive. The story becomes a gut wrenching event as the audience takes the trip down the road where young innocent vulnerable individuals can be destroyed.
This is the second film I have watched starring Gosling in the last month. He is a top notch actor worthy of sparring with Clooney. He holds his own with Clooney, Hoffman, and Giamatti.
As some individuals seek the opportunity for power and money, their true colors are no longer camouflaged. Maybe their conscious becomes seared. A professor in college asked this question to a class I was taking. “What is more important power or money?” Of course it is power, because if one has power – money follows. The “Ides of March” refers to the 15th day of March. This is when Julius Caesar was killed by conspirators. Conniving among politicians has always been corrupt. It is not any different today.
A sad situation occurs when individuals make mistakes and then try to cover them up. One never really knows how some people will react to certain situations. The extremely sad part happens when individuals are hurt and abandoned.
It is difficult to know just how some people handle certain circumstances. Some have a callous heart while others cannot carry the burden alone. It is a human responsibility to help people as we travel through this world full of corruption. However, when the conscious becomes seared, we become the bad guys.
“Ides of March” is based on the play “Farragut North” by Beau Willimon.