In politics, they call the process of passing a bill "sausage making" for all the nasty behind-the-scenes churning and grinding that takes place to present one prettily packaged bit of legislation. During the presidential campaign season the process is essentially the same, only it's idealistic men and their morals which get run through the political grinder. Such is the case with George Clooney's timely political thriller, The Ides of March, based on the stage play, Farragut North, by Beau Willimon. Clooney's fourth film as a director and undoubtedly his most salient, he presents a cynical but honest truth about politics as it is today.
To get his message across, Clooney has assembled a cast any studio would drool over. The year of Ryan Gosling continues, starring as charismatic campaign wunderkind, Stephen Meyers. An idealist dreamer by nature, Meyers thinks he's found "the one" in populist Democratic governor Mike Morris(Clooney). Alongside veteran campaign manager Paul Zara(Philip Seymour Hoffman), the two have pushed Morris within a week of the Democratic primary in Ohio, where one final win could put them over the top and on their way to the Presidential race.
So close to the big dance, one slip up could spell disaster. This being based on Willimon's experiences as part of Howard Dean's 2004 campaign, there are unfortunately no screams of "Hyyaaaa!!!!" that sink Morris' campaign. Instead, it's a complicated tangle of backroom deals, nosey reporters, and blinding naivety that threaten to turn Meyers and his candidate into historical footnotes.
With his cool and unassuming charm, Meyers is as easy with the ladies as with the media. Forgetting the long history of powerful men felled by their pretty interns, he gets involved with one anyway(Evan Rachel Wood), who just so happens to be the daughter of the DNC Chairman. In more pressing concerns, he and Zora are seeking the support of a conservative Democratic rival(Jeffrey Wright) which would likely push them over the top. The problem is he wants a Cabinet position, even though his policies mesh with Morris' like oil and water. Add to that the shady dealings of Tom Duffy(Paul Giamatti), their opponent's rough 'n tumble campaign manager, and something has got to give. Somebody's going to crack somewhere, it's only a question of who and when.
Clooney has made no bones about his political leanings as a director from the very beginning, but The Ides of March is the first time where he makes a very clear attempt to be non-partisan. His focus is squarely on the frustrating Democratic party, and the internal debate that rages within them to this very day. On the one hand you have those like Meyers, fresh faced and ready to change the world, who believe that fighting for a just cause is enough. And on the other end of the spectrum, there are those like Duffy, who understand that the only thing that truly matters is winning. What's the point of keeping your nose clean, refusing to play dirty pool, if the other side wins. They make the rules if that happens. No history books have ever been written by losers, so do what needs to be done to get into office and then get on the high horse. Oddly enough, in attempting to not criticize the tactics employed by Republicans, Clooney has actually drawn more attention to that very thing. But Clooney, who co-wrote the script with Grant Heslov, goes a little bit further, asking the question if it's even possible to not become jaded that deep in the political machine. He comes up with an answer that may be a surprise.
The tension in The Ides of March never ceases for an instant, no small feat when the bulk of the story consists of people talking in campaign buses and sterile office buildings. It's Gosling who drives this engine, proving for the third time this year, how much of a chameleon he is as an actor. He makes Meyers a believable, determined student with just a hint of an ego beneath the surface. Hoffman and Giamatti are basically two sides of the same coin, one fair-minded and analytical, the other a venomous rattlesnake. Clooney, as much a magnetic personality as ever, makes the most of only a few crucial scenes with Gosling.
Movies about politics are a hard sell. Even with this roster of talent, The Ides of March is going to scare some people off, but those who invest will be treated to a taut, gripping thriller more intense than any summer blockbuster.
