The Circle Goes On: "The Ides of March" (2011)

As far as political films go, "The Ides of March" doesn't really trod any new ground.  If anything, it reinforces our belief that all politics is dirty, and that even the most idealistic young person with good values will turn to the 'dark side' to further his or her own interests.  Smoothly directed by co-star George Clooney, it does provide some good work by a gallery of interesting actors playing the various politicians and background players during the course of a presidential campaign.

Ryan Gosling is adequate in the central role of political advisor Stephen Meyers, and though Gosling is a capable actor, here he's overshadowed by more seasoned players, like Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Jeffrey Wright, and Clooney himself (who displays more of a dark side than we usually see in this genial leading man).

Hoffman and Giamatti are rival campaign managers and they have the look of lifelong political players, Hoffman, indeed gives his second great supporting performance of last year (the other being in "Moneyball"), as a 'seen it all, done it all' guy, who finds himself upended by his own apprentice.  Wright has a couple of good scenes as a charasmatic senator who finds himself in a position of power by holding needed delegates, and even Marisa Tomei makes a good impression as an experienced political reporter.

Clooney is the acting revelation here, though, as the straight shooting man aiming for the White House.  Of course, when we see the beautiful young intern (played by Evan Rachel Wood) early on in the film, it doesn't take much for the imagination to stretch into a scenario that we've been familiar with ever since the Clinton years.  But dodging damaging material that could dislodge his campaign, Clooney shows a hard steeliness behind the familiar smile and pleasant nature, particularly in a late scene in the film between himself and Gosling in a deserted kitchen.  And as the film ends, we can see the beginnings of the same situation that played out earlier in the film  perhaps starting again, proving that nothing ever really changes.  The circle always goes on.

As I said, there's nothing really new here, but it's smart and we can relate to some of the workings of the political machines, especially appropriate during this election year, and with the valuable cast, it's a not-altogether bad way to spend a couple of hours.  If that doesn't exactly sound like praise, well, I gotta call 'em like I see 'em.