The Ides of March

Don't you just love that poster? I think it's one of the more brilliantly conceived movie posters lately. It's from the George Clooney helmed film The Ides of March that has recently been showing in the cinemas. The film is based on the play Farragut North by Beau Willimon last seen Off-Broadway in 2008 with Chris Noth and John Gallagher Jr.

The Ides of March is a political drama set during the democratic primary elections in Ohio and centers on Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling) an idealistic campaign strategist working for the campaign of Mike Norris (George Clooney). It looks at the backdoor deals that take place in politics and examines the subject of intergrity. I am well aware that these backroom deals happen but it's a bit jolting when it plays out in front of you in the movie screen. Aside from Mr. Clooney and Mr. Gosling, the film has a stellar cast of talented actors including Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Marissa Tomei, Jennifer Ehle, Paul Giamatti, Evan Rachel Wood and Jeffrey Wright. It is however, Mr. Gosling's film and his transformation from an idealistic newbie to a calloused man is chilling.