Dir. George Clooney.

My immediate post-viewing reaction is I liked this film. It wasn’t stellar, it wasn’t mediocre, it was just a moderately wound political “thriller” (I use thriller in loose terms). George Clooney continues his streak of films that side-ride today’s current political issues. This time, we watch a Democratic presidential candidate storm the state of Ohio with political ideal and vigor, while his campaign staff turmoil to maintain the lead.

Screen time is devoted mainly to Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Evan Rachel Wood. Paul Giamatti and George Clooney step in occasionally, but more as plot motivators than anything else. Gosling and Hoffman work nicely together on screen, playing off each other only as tense political colleagues can. The young blood versus the old dogs rivalry is apparent, but subtle. It makes a hard stab for the obvious near the end, but for the most part, manages to toe the line.

This isn’t a complex film. Michael Clayton was complex, well balanced, and very tight. The Ides of March opts for a direct beeline towards the point: Morality, integrity, dignity, status. Again, this hits home pretty hard only in the last 30 minutes. The meaning of the film isn’t meant to be hard to understand. Politicians cater to the lowest common denominator, and so does this film. It plies open a common theme in politics (adultery, lying, covering up, etc.) and gives the viewer both choices. With so much at stake, personally and professionally, what would you choose?

Gosling does well to keep me interested throughout the film. His transformation is abrupt, but remains believable in context of the film and political climate. I don’t think he reached the level of desperation that could have been reached, but I’m not sure it was needed. When you’re struggling to maintain face as well as trying to keep something under wraps while it is raveling out of control, how would you react? Gosling’s character is very much a shark, and only loses control in small, neat outbursts.

Philip Seymour Hoffman did well. I wish there was more of him in the film, as I think he was an interesting character. The old vs. new battle was well played.

Clooney was good, if not a little samey from his previous like-minded films. I don’t mind it, as I think he maintains that typecasting well, and should definitely keep at it.

I need to sleep on this film. The relationship between Evan Rachel Wood and Ryan Gosling is also interesting, if not a little stale in the context of on-the-job interactions and flirtations.

Overall, I enjoyed it. A solid film by Clooney, but nothing exceptional worth noting. Jeffrey Wright and his mustache make an appearance. Marisa Tomei looks super hot in those librarian glasses.

I’ll put up more thoughts tomorrow if they come to me. I’m also writing up a few notes on Drive.

Goodnight.