Moustroll Good movie but grossly overrated

Dynamixor The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Doomtomylo a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

SanEat A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

mjloge Fast moving, insider view of politics, very apt in current 2018 politics.

Pjtaylor-96-138044 'The Ides Of March (2011)' is a competent and confident political thriller, well-written enough to be consistently entertaining but feeling like - and I'm sure this wasn't the case - it lacks a certain underlying passion. This, along with the cold and generally clichéd characters, makes it difficult to connect with anything happening on-screen. The entire endeavour floats along fairly quickly and flutters from your memory just as fast, feeling like it lacks a real through-line or any weighty themes - other than the undying cynicism of American politics. It isn't isn't a satire, either, and it plays it so straight that even its punchy dramatic moments aren't given the impact they deserve, instead just occurring with this kind of 'realist' apathy and thus not really having any impact. It's not bad, don't get me wrong, but it really is difficult to care for. There's enjoyment while it's unfolding, for no real reason other than its aforementioned confident competence, and it will certainly pass the time just fine. Maybe if political thrillers really are your thing, you'll get more out of this; it is well-made on all accounts. Honestly, it's difficult to remember, though. 6/10

The Movie Diorama Democrats vs Republicans. Honestly surprised we don't have more films about political debates! The reason why I compared this to chess was due to the intelligent methodology that these campaigns used against each other. A glimpse into the inner workings of a political campaign and how simply one mistake could cost a senator the presidential seat. Acknowledging every move your opponent makes and having to predict what they will do. Most importantly though, this is a film about loyalty and how it is the most important trait to acquire in the world of politics. Believing in an idealism even if the man representing that ideology is not entirely innocent or perfect. This is George Clooney's baby; he directed, wrote, produced and starred in the film...I was mightily impressed. The political sub-genre is a guilty pleasure of mine and really showcases some excellent concise screenplays. It's no different here, I was captivated from start to end. A talented and likeable cast certainly helped, particularly Ryan Gosling who just keeps on excelling in every role he gets. Hoffman, Clooney, Giamatti, Tomei...the list goes on and every one of them gives a cold stern performance. Politics is harsh and the screenplay really hones in on campaigns doing anything they can to win. Corruption, persuasion, blackmailing...the brutal reality of politics have negative effects on campaigners, so much so that their lives could potentially be destroyed. Absolutely fascinating, although slightly hyperbolic. I did find the ending slightly underwhelming and frustrating, probably because it's the ending I didn't want. However, this is utterly enthralling with a tight script and excellent cast. I would like to live in a world where George Clooney runs for president. Make it happen.

jc-osms I'm a big fan of the award-winning "House Of Cards" TV series starring Kevin Spacey as the stop-at-nothing U.S. politician determined to get into the White House and so wasn't surprised to see that programme's main writer and show-runner Beau Willimon credited as one of the writers here. George Clooney stars, produces, co-writes and directs too but yet this behind-the-scenes look behind-the-scenes of the sometimes ruthless campaigning which gives on in the race for the White House had more the imprimatur of Willimon id venture to say.Which means you can expect a twisting, turning narrative, taking in the usual mix of sex, lies, morals, ambition and in particular power-games as we follow the journey of leading Democratic candidate co-campaign manager Ryan Gosling striving to get his hero, Clooney into power. To do so he has to turn a losing position in the key Ohio primary to a winning one. Along the way, as ever, innocents get hurt, victory is clawed from the jaws of defeat and in the end consciences are wiped clean all the time nothing really changes in the way the country is governed.Gosling and not Clooney is the epicentre of the film. He starts off as an idealistic and enthusiastic spin doctor for his man Clooney but comes to learn that naïveté is weakness and that to survive in the bear-pit of Washington good guys finish last. Even if some of the main events and indeed the ending were predictable, the film entertains with its realism, sharp dialogue and recognisable read-across to the American political scene of the present and recent past.Gosling is excellent in depicting his character's development from youthful enthusiast to cynical power-broker, while Clooney reminded me of another pretty-boy-with-brains Robert Redford in a similar part from a different Hollywood generation in "The Candidate" from the early 1970's. The late Philip Seymour-Hoffman is wholly credible as Gosling's there-to-be- shot-at senior colleague and rival, while the several supporting parts as one would expect are realistically portrayed. I personally think "House of Cards" depicts this sort of thing better, but concede that over 30 or more episodes, like of course "The West Wing " too, it had greater scope for deeper character and plot development. Nevertheless this well-edited contemporary political thriller is the best of its type to come out of Hollywood for some time and draws the viewer in tighter and tighter as it progresses. I'm sure that any resemblance to real-life characters particularly in the last 20 years or so, wasn't entirely uncoincidental.